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Govt to authorise FBR to raid homes of suspects

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Govt to authorise FBR to raid homes of suspects
By Irshad Ansari
Published: June 16, 2019
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PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to empower the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to conduct raids at the premises of those who are allegedly involved in making illegal wealth, storing undeclared gold, jewelry, foreign currency and bearer securities and to confiscate these assets.

For this purpose, the government has proposed several amendments to Income Tax Ordinance 2001 through Finance Bill 2019. The amendments introduce various changes to the legal framework governing tax evaders, absconders, abettors, officials and individuals involved in malpractices.

Talking to Daily Express, FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi confirmed that by amending the law, the body is being given the powers to carry out raids to confiscate illegal currency, undeclared gold and bearers securities.
However, he said, FBR will not exercise this authority as he has enforced a banned on raids.
He said there should be a provision in law so that it can be used whenever the need arises.

The government via Finance Bill 2019 has introduced a new sub clause 6A in section 175 of Income Tax Ordinance. According to this sub clause, the commissioner land revenue has been given the powers to conduct raid on receiving confirmed information about the illegal assets. He will be entitled to search the premises of suspected officers, politicians, bureaucrats, traders, industrialists and others.

Sources in the FBR said the basic purpose of introducing amendments in the law is to tighten the noose around the corrupt, to take into possession money earned through loot and plunder and to confiscate undeclared gold.

The amendments are in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and will be made part of the Finance Act 2019 after approval from the parliament.


Read more: empowered , FBR , Latest
 
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more bribe opportunities for FBR
instead of instilling confidence in the FBR in the population, the Government will turn FBR into a gunda Institution.
 
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Govts never solve problems. They are the problem. They can't control their spending. This is more spending. I see more bribes in the future. That's all.
 
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well at least some will be scared and declare their wealth, its up to people if they want to get harassed and distorted or they want to pay taxes like a good citizen.

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Govt + unlimited power is a recipe for abuse of power. None of the govt institutions are effective. They have no reason to be. They get free money. They have no customers to please. They never suffer the consequences of neglectful actions.
 
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a toothless govt is no govt, people must fear govt
So true!! Don’t know about the other places, but in the USA try your luck while being stopped for a simple traffic law violation!!! Not a single bullet will fall on the ground with shots taken at a point blank range at the abdominal areas....
 
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So true!! Don’t know about the other places, but in the USA try your luck while being stopped for a simple traffic law violation!!! Not a single bullet will fall on the ground with shots taken at a point blank range at the abdominal areas....
Another instance of corruption they don't enforce border laws but go crazy if someone doesn't pay tax. Selective enforcement is corruption. Destroying evidence is a crime. Hillary walks free.
 
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Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Govt + unlimited power is a recipe for abuse of power. None of the govt institutions are effective. They have no reason to be. They get free money. They have no customers to please. They never suffer the consequences of neglectful actions.

and how govt with no power has been working out for you.
CRA in Canada can do worst than what is proposed on that bill, civilized countries have very powerful revenue dept more powerful than the govt because govt rests on the revenue services.
 
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What's the fuss about?

Such raids happen all over the world. If you don't pay your council tax in UK, the court bailiffs raid your property and take your car or house stuff etc and auction it to recover the debt.

UK police confiscate if you are carrying £1000 cash ... And you have to provide bank statements / proof of source to get it back.

FBR raid should be signed off by chairman FBR or they should form Tax Courts and the judge from that court signs the search warrants. Any Tom dick or Harry FBR agent should never be allowed to raid a property without such warrants.
 
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and how govt with no power has been working out for you.
CRA in Canada can do worst than what is proposed on that bill, civilized countries have very powerful revenue dept more powerful than the govt because govt rests on the revenue services.
An IRS (Internal Revenue Service of the USA) agent is like the “Angel of Death” if he visits you!!!
 
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The amendments are in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and will be made part of the Finance Act 2019 after approval from the parliament.

It looks like FATF is going 100 step further then any government in Pakistan can imagine. No way in hell PTI cabinet will approve this if there was no pressure from FATF.

Fact is terrorists may take advantage of these loopholes left on purpose by ruling elite but they hardly make even 1% of it wrong doing.

more bribe opportunities for FBR
instead of instilling confidence in the FBR in the population, the Government will turn FBR into a gunda Institution.

Not everyone in FBR is corrupt. Options will be simple, either you take a chance with particular FBR officers raiding your house being corrupt? Especially now with cameras in everyone hand. Or you declare all your assets and sleep well?
 
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