FBR tells SC: Rs 167 million recovered from holders of undisclosed foreign accounts, assets

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it has recovered Rs 167 million from Pakistani citizens holding undisclosed foreign bank accounts and assets abroad.
Chairman FBR Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan made the claim while briefing a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on progress made in the case so far. He said that Rs 161 million had been recovered since December 13.
The bench also sought an update from the FBR and inquired about the progress made on 21 model cases identified by the FBR. The FBR chief said that another 147 individuals were identified and served notices.
In February 2018, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of foreign bank accounts held by Pakistani citizens, saying that there were reports circulating that people in positions of power have been looting money and transferring it to foreign countries.
In a hearing of the case in December 2018, the court had assailed the FBR chairman and an income tax official for "slowing down" the investigation and "putting the case in cold storage."
"We were given the impression that Rs 3,000 billion will be recovered," said Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, adding, "Tell us what has been the performance of the FBR."
"What happened of the 21 model cases that were identified?" asked Justice Ijazul Ahsan.
"Rs 167 million have been recovered so far whereas notices for the recovery of [another] Rs 147 million have been sent," said the chairman FBR.
The FBR chief further said that of the total recovered amount, Rs100 million came from Agha Afzal, while Imtiaz Afzal paid Rs10 million. "Further investigation is under way," he added.
When the Chief Justice asked about the Rs 29.4 million that Aleema Khanum, the sister of Prime Minister Imran Khan is to pay in taxes and fines, the FBR chairman said, "She [Aleema] has been given time to pay Rs 29.4 million fine by January 13."
The Chief Justice had warned that Khanum's properties would be attached if she failed to pay the fine and tax imposed by the FBR. However, the apex court had allowed her to avail the remedy of appeal against the FBR decision about tax determination.
The Chief Justice observed that money should be recovered so the country's economy could further improve.
"We are entrusting the FBR with the responsibility to bring wealth back to the country," he remarked.
The bench directed the FBR to submit a complete report by January 13 and adjourned the hearing till January 14.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted in the court another report, saying that it had identified another 96 individuals who have properties in the United Arab Emirates.
"In all, 1,254 Pakistanis have properties in the UAE," according to the progress report - 774 have submitted their affidavits, while 363 have been issued notices," it added.
The FIA report further said that 60 people could not be identified, 57 are not cooperating with the probe, and one is absconding. The agency, in its report, claimed that 60 Pakistanis have understated their properties to the FBR.