ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered a forensic audit and fresh investigations into a multibillion-rupee sales-tax fraud linked to the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) automation system, directing officials to identify those involved and report within three weeks.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, a fact-finding committee had been formed to investigate a large-scale sales-tax fraud that began in 2018-19.
The committee concluded the fraud was made possible due to Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited’s (PRAL) outdated digital infrastructure, lack of monitoring and inadequate database protection, which enabled manipulation of tax records.
“A forensic audit of PRAL’s system must be conducted by an international consultancy firm,” the prime minister said while chairing a meeting.
He directed investigations to identify the institutions, companies and individuals involved in the fraud.
