FBR under pressure as senior journalists and political figures raise corruption concerns

Fresh concerns over alleged corruption and controversial practices inside the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are gaining momentum after senior journalists and political figures publicly questioned the institution’s conduct and accountability mechanisms.

WEBDESK – MEDIABITES – COURTESY: WAQAS AZEEM

The debate intensified after senior politician Rana Sanaullah Khan, while speaking on journalist Saleem Safi’s programme, acknowledged that Pakistan’s business community has “serious complaints” regarding corruption within the FBR.

According to Rana Sanaullah, traders and industrialists frequently accuse tax officials of misuse of authority and corrupt practices, adding further fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the country’s tax machinery.

The controversy comes amid growing criticism of FBR’s aggressive recovery measures and expanding powers, particularly after recent disputes involving overseas Pakistanis and bank account recoveries.

Earlier, Senator Talha Mahmood had also levelled serious allegations against former FBR member Ashfaq Tola, claiming his assets exceeded Rs50 billion. Allegations have also been raised against current FBR member Mir Badshah Wazir, although no formal court ruling has established wrongdoing in these cases.

In another shocking incident frequently cited by critics, a dispute over tax refund matters at an FBR office in Lahore allegedly escalated into a physical altercation between officers, with reports claiming weapons were drawn during the confrontation.

READ MORE: FBR responds to Arsalan Adam controversy, alleges fake documents used to block tax recovery

Business circles continue to allege that corruption within the tax authority is causing massive annual losses to the national economy. Some representatives of the business community claim corruption within the system amounts to nearly Rs3 trillion annually, although these estimates remain unofficial.

Questions have also resurfaced regarding transparency inside the institution after reports emerged of large-scale tobacco theft allegedly taking place from a factory despite the presence of FBR officials and surveillance cameras. Investigations into the incident are still underway.

Meanwhile, senior journalist Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami also criticised proposals allowing the FBR to directly withdraw money from citizens’ bank accounts without judicial oversight.

“اگر ایف بی آر کو بینک اکاؤنٹس سے رقم نکالنے کا اختیار دے دیا گیا تو لوگ بینکوں میں پیسے رکھنا بند کر دیں گے،” Shami wrote on social media, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately intervene.

He further argued that no institution should be allowed to access citizens’ bank accounts without a court order, warning that such powers could damage public trust in Pakistan’s banking system.

READ MORE: Overseas Pakistani accuses FBR of ‘daylight robbery’ after Rs22.6 million withdrawn from bank account

The allegations and criticism have placed increasing pressure on FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, with many voices now demanding stronger internal accountability, asset scrutiny of officials and structural reforms within the tax authority.

The FBR has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest criticism and allegations circulating in political and media circles.