The Federal Board of Revenue informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it has issued a notice to Imran Khan Niazi under Section 176 of the ITO 2001 on September 02, 2016 while investigating the case of Panama Leaks. Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Hanif Abbasi has invoked the apex court's jurisdiction seeking the disqualification of Pakistan Threek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran from the Parliament as he (Imran) allegedly failed to declare his offshore companies before the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Making the FBR respondent with others, Abbasi also urged the court to issue directives to the FBR to investigate into financial 'mis-declarations' and 'tax evasion' by Imran in the matter. Submitting a concise statement in the matter, Member Legal of the FBR Hafiz Muhammad Ali Indhar said that the Board has discharged its duty as per law in relation to various financial irregularities alleged to have been committed by Imran.
"During the current investigations carried out by the FBR in the case of the Panama Papers Leaks, it surfaced in different media reports and FBR taking due cognisance of the matter has initiated investigation, and has issued a notice under section 176 of the ITO 2001 dated 02.09.2016 to the Respondent No 1 (Imran Khan Niazi)," the concise statement added.
The FBR claimed that in response to Abbasi's petition relating to tax matters of Imran, the Board has verified the matter saying if any actionable discrepancy is found then the appropriate legal proceedings will be initiated. "The instant concise statement is being submitted on the basis of the information so for available and the proceedings undertaken by FBR in pursuance thereof; FBR is keeping itself vigilant to any other information and exploring/exploiting all available resources to investigate the matter further," the FBR concluded.