Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a countrywide exercise for seizure of relevant customs records of all vehicles legalised under the amnesty scheme of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). A senior official of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told Business Recorder that the agency had received the letter issued by Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Muhammad Shoaib Suddle on April 2.
The FIA sent the letter to all concerned departments as well as constituted a team to conduct raids and to seize all relevant records of non-duty paid smuggled vehicles legalised under the amnesty scheme to investigate the alleged maladministration of tax officers, he added. When contacted, FBR officials said that they had assured FIA of full co-operation to provide necessary record for verification by the agency. In this regard, the FBR has already issued instructions to the Model Customs Collectorates.
After receiving complaints about serious irregularities in the implementation of SRO.172(I)/2013, the Federal Tax Ombudsman has decided to constitute Inspection Teams under sections 17 and 23 of the FTO Ordinance. Each team will consist of an Officer of the FTO Establishment and a designated FIA Officer supported by other officers and staff.
The suitable FIA Officers designated for the purpose have been directed to immediately get in touch with the relevant officials of the FTO Office to proceed further in the matter, including seizure of relevant record of concerned Collectorates. As regards Customs stations at Multan, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Gwadur and Sust, the concerned FIA officials may seize the relevant record and send it to the FTO Secretariat, sources said.