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Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Arrests for tax fraud: major changes made in sales tax law thru Finance Bill
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced major changes in sales tax law through Finance Bill 2025 for the arrest of those involved in tax evasion or tax fraud. According to a statement issued by the FBR on Friday, Finance bill is currently being discussed in the National Assembly and among various business circles. An impression has been created that some of the amendments introduced in the Finance Bill are not understood well by the public at large. Arrest for tax fraud: Senate panel for defining a threshold For instance, the legal provisions for the arrest of those involved in a tax fraud have already been provided under Section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 along with an elaborate procedure to be followed after the arrest which involves intimating the Special Judge immediately and the production of such person before Special Judge within 24 hours. However, the proposed amendment now restricts the powers of the officer to arrest by making prior inquiry after approval of the Commissioner Inland Revenue (CIR). Only on the basis of the findings of the inquiry CIR will authorise the investigation which would give the investigation officer the powers of an officer in charge of a police station under Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898). The arrest can only be made with the prior approval of CIR if the investigation officer has reasons to believe that a tax fraud may have been committed by a person. The FBR further stated that the new legal provision further provides that if the arrest is malafide, the matter will be referred to the Chief Commissioner for fact finding inquiry. This shows that in contrast to the earlier provision where an Assistant CIR could arrest an offender, the new provisions bring transparency in the process by a mandatory prior inquiry and investigation and finally permission by the CIR. Moreover, certain changes and amendments are also necessary to reassure the compliant taxpayers that those evading taxes or involved in tax fraud are dealt with by the state with an iron hand. FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has expressed his willingness to discuss the recent changes made in the tax laws and introduce changes wherever needed, for example, the provisions related to arrest could be revised to mandate the permission of multiple senior officers before any arrest. Furthermore, in order to ensure that these powers are not misused by the authorised tax officers against the compliant taxpayers and business community, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-powered committee, which will be headed by Minister for Finance and Revenue, to re-evaluate the proposed amendments and suggest adequate safeguards to prevent potential misuse of powers. The other members of the Committee will include Ministers of Law and Economic Affairs Division, Minister of State for Finance, SAPM Industries and Chairman FBR. The Committee will also examine various options to ensure that legal economic activities are not stifled and propose additional protective measures against unlawful use of authority. The Committee will submit its recommendations to Prime Minister in three days. FBR is committed to safeguard the legal rights of the compliant taxpayers and to increase the tax collection and state revenues by discouraging non-compliant taxpayers and acknowledging those who are paying their due share to the state, FBR added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Arrests for tax fraud: Major changes made in ST law thru finance bill
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced major changes in sales tax law through Finance Bill (2025-26) for the arrest of those involved in tax evasion or tax fraud. According to a statement issued by the FBR on Friday, Finance bill is currently being discussed in the National Assembly and among various business circles. An impression has been created that some of the amendments introduced in the finance bill are not understood well by the public at large. Arrest for tax fraud: Senate panel for defining a threshold For instance, the legal provisions for the arrest of those involved in a tax fraud have already been provided under Section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 along with an elaborate procedure to be followed after the arrest which involves intimating the Special Judge immediately and the production of such person before Special Judge within 24 hours. However, the proposed amendment now restricts the powers of the officer to arrest by making prior inquiry after approval of the Commissioner Inland Revenue (CIR). Only on the basis of the findings of the inquiry CIR will authorise the investigation which would give the investigation officer the powers of an officer in charge of a police station under Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898). The arrest can only be made with the prior approval of CIR if the investigation officer has reasons to believe that a tax fraud may have been committed by a person. The FBR further stated that the new legal provision further provides that if the arrest is malafide, the matter will be referred to the Chief Commissioner for fact finding inquiry. This shows that in contrast to the earlier provision where an Assistant CIR could arrest an offender, the new provisions bring transparency in the process by a mandatory prior inquiry and investigation and finally permission by the CIR. Moreover, certain changes and amendments are also necessary to reassure the compliant taxpayers that those evading taxes or involved in tax fraud are dealt with by the state with an iron hand. FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has expressed his willingness to discuss the recent changes made in the tax laws and introduce changes wherever needed, for example, the provisions related to arrest could be revised to mandate the permission of multiple senior officers before any arrest. Furthermore, in order to ensure that these powers are not misused by the authorised tax officers against the compliant taxpayers and business community, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-powered committee, which will be headed by Minister for Finance and Revenue, to re-evaluate the proposed amendments and suggest adequate safeguards to prevent potential misuse of powers. The other members of the Committee will include Ministers of Law and Economic Affairs Division, Minister of State for Finance, SAPM Industries and Chairman FBR. The Committee will also examine various options to ensure that legal economic activities are not stifled and propose additional protective measures against unlawful use of authority. The Committee will submit its recommendations to Prime Minister in three days. FBR is committed to safeguard the legal rights of the compliant taxpayers and to increase the tax collection and state revenues by discouraging non-compliant taxpayers and acknowledging those who are paying their due share to the state, FBR added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY25-26: Finance bill still being discussed, says FBR
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday said the Finance Bill 2025 was still being discussed in the National Assembly (NA) and among various business circles. The FBR's statement comes as 'a number of news stories in the digital and print media give the impression that some of the amendments introduced in the finance bill are not understood well by the public at large', the tax body said. 'For instance, the legal provisions for the arrest of those involved in a tax fraud have already been provided under Section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 along with an elaborate procedure to be followed after the arrest which involves intimating the Special Judge immediately and the production of such person before Special Judge within 24 hours. 'However, the proposed amendment now restricts the powers of the officer to arrest by making prior inquiry after approval of the Commissioner Inland Revenue (CIR). Only on the basis of the findings of the inquiry CIR will authorise the investigation which would give the investigation officer the powers of an officer in charge of a police station under Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898),' the FBR said. Key highlights of Pakistan budget for 2025-26 The arrest could only be made with the prior approval of CIR if the investigation officer had reasons to believe that a tax fraud might have been committed by a person, the statement added. According to the tax body, the new legal provision further provides that if the arrest is mala fide the matter will be referred to the Chief Commissioner for fact finding inquiry. 'This shows that in contrast to the earlier provision where an Assistant CIR could arrest an offender, the new provisions bring transparency in the process by a mandatory prior inquiry and investigation and finally permission by the CIR. 'Moreover, certain changes and amendments are also necessary to reassure the compliant taxpayers that those evading taxes or involved in tax fraud are dealt with by the state with an iron hand.' FBR chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has expressed his willingness to discuss the recent changes made in the tax laws and introduce changes wherever needed, for example, the provisions related to arrest could be revised to mandate the permission of multiple senior officers before any arrest. 'Furthermore, in order to ensure that these powers are not misused by the authorised tax officers against the compliant taxpayers and business community, the Honorable Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high powered committee, which will be headed by Minister for Finance and Revenue, to re-evaluate the proposed amendments and suggest adequate safeguards to prevent potential misuse of powers.' Budget 2025-26: Pakistan targets 4.2% growth as Aurangzeb presents proposals 'for a competitive economy' The other members of the committee will include Ministers of Law and Economic Affairs Division, Minister of State for Finance, SAPM Industries and Chairman FBR, as per the statement. 'The committee will also examine various options to ensure that legal economic activities are not stifled and propose additional protective measures against unlawful use of authority. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Honorable Prime Minister in three days.' **
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti man acquitted in drug use, DUI after appeal
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: The Court of Appeals overturned the two-year prison sentence imposed on a Kuwaiti citizen with a criminal record, and then acquitted him of drug use and driving under the influence due to invalid procedures. Earlier, the Public Prosecution charged the defendant with the possession of psychotropic substances for personal consumption, as he allegedly failed to prove that he obtained a permit to do so. He was found to be a repeat offender and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison with hard labor for another felony. He also drove under the influence of amphetamine -- a psychotropic substance -- despite being a repeat offender, as described in the charge sheet. Attorney Mohammad Jaber Baqer, the lawyer of the defendant, appeared before the Court of Appeals, where he argued that the search of his client was invalid because it was conducted outside the legally prescribed circumstances, and that the defendant had denied the incident from the beginning of the investigation. The court accepted the arguments of Baqer and based its ruling on the legality of the initial arrest and the limits of the subsequent search, which were intended to strip the arrested person of any weapons or tools that might aid him in escaping or harming himself or others under Article 51 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court found that the search of a small box in the defendant's possession exceeded the limits; as such a box could not contain a weapon or a means of escape or harm. It then ruled that this search is invalid due to exceeding the legal purpose and the invalidity of the evidence derived from it. The court declared that all the narcotics seized from the defendant, which were purportedly inside the small box, are considered inconclusive. It added that such evidence cannot be used as basis for a conviction ruling as it was a direct result of an invalid procedure. It added that the case documents lacked any other legitimate evidence that could prove the first and second charges after excluding the invalid evidence.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Tripura man sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping minor stepdaughter
A Tripura court on Wednesday handed out 20 years' imprisonment to a man who raped his minor stepdaughter. He was also ordered to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000, failing which he will have to serve an additional jail term of two months. Government counsel Ashmita Banik said the incident occurred in West Tripura district in August 2023. 'Though her mother was supposed to support her in this condition, she fled with her (rape-survivor's) stepfather. The minor's elder sister, who lives in South Tripura district, came to know about the incident and filed a complaint,' said the counsel. The minor rape survivor is living at a shelter home. Her stepfather was found guilty by the court under section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation). The court examined 19 witnesses during the trial. The court also ordered that the rape survivor be paid compensation under section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
