ISLAMABAD – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has gained new powers to investigate tax evasion and fraud cases across Pakistan. Under the amended law, internet service providers, telecom operators, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) must now share customer data with the tax authority when requested.
Sources said the FBR data access law Pakistan enables commissioners to directly obtain subscriber details from ISPs and telecom companies during tax investigations. This includes information on internet usage and other relevant records needed to support inquiries.
The new legislation also extends obligations to private-sector auditors and experts hired for specialized tax audits. These professionals will be bound by strict confidentiality rules. Any unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information will result in penalties and possible legal action. Government officials remain prohibited from sharing such data outside official work.
FBR officials said the move is part of a larger crackdown on tax evasion. Recently, the board announced plans to recruit 102 sector-specific experts and auditors to conduct field audits across 42 major industries. These include banking, real estate, manufacturing, telecom, textiles, cement, aviation, and IT, among others.
According to officials, appointing private experts aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of tax assessments. They believe direct access to data from telecom and internet firms will make it easier to identify undeclared income and track suspicious financial activities.
While the measure is expected to boost tax compliance, it has also drawn attention from privacy advocates. They stress the importance of strong oversight to ensure the new powers are not misused.
The updated law is now in effect, and companies in the telecom and internet sectors are required to comply with all FBR requests for data related to tax investigations.
For a detailed breakdown of the E3’s warning to the UN and Iran’s response, read the full article here: E3 Warns UN of Iran Sanctions if Talks Fail by August.
