Directorate General Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Inland Revenue (IR) would intensify its efforts to take stern actions including conducting raids, registration of FIRs and trial by special judges against big tax evaders and those involved in tax fraud and money laundering.

It is learnt that the agency of the FBR has given instructions to its regional directors to freely take action against those involved in tax evasion, tax fraud and money laundering under relevant provisions of the law. The focus would be big tax evaders.

In this regard, the agency's field formations would intensify its efforts across the country.

The AML Cell of I&I IR is empowered to receive and review financial intelligence like suspicious transaction reports from the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The government had already revived the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue (I&I)-IR FRB as investigating and prosecuting agency under section 2(j) of AML Act 2010.

The Anti Money Laundering (AML) Act was passed in March 2010. To align the Act with international standards, further amendments were made by the Parliament in 2015. The amendments include, among others, nomination of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue (DG (I&I)-IR) as Investigating and Prosecuting Agency through SRO 611(1) 2016 of June 9, 2016.

The FBR had indicated that re-issuance of the SRO regarding designation of DG (I&I-IR) as an investigating agency and prosecuting agency under AML Act, 2010, shall not result in any revenue loss to the public exchequer.