2 FBR officers suspended over Bajwa’s tax record leak

ISLAMABAD:THE Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has suspended from service two officers of the Inland Revenue Service in connection with the leak of tax record details of outgoing army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family.

As per reports, Deputy Commissioners Atif Nawaz and Zahoor Ahmad have been suspended from service ater preliminary investigations.

According to the initial report, the data leaked from the log in and passwords of both officers who are currently under investigation for further revelations.

The officers are being investigated regarding the mater of data leak under sections 198 and 216 of Income Tax Ordinance.

The preliminary inquiry report of the case had been submited to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

Earlier, Dar ordered an inquiry into the unwarranted leakage of tax information of the family members of General Qamar Bajwa.

Taking serious notice, he said this is clear violation of complete confidentiality of tax information that the law provides.

In view of this serious lapse on the part of to-date unknown functionaries, the Finance Minister has directed the SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha to personally lead an immediate investigation into the violation of tax law and breach of FBR data, affix responsibility and submit a report within twenty-four hours.

COVID-19 FUNDS: In an unrelated development, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched an inquiry into the embezzlement of coronavirus funds in the Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The director general (health) has been directed to appear at the NAB office in Peshawar with all details.

Payment receipts of the equipment purchased from the coronavirus funds have also been sought.

“The health authorities have appeared before the NAB, and all the details have been submited,” said the Health Department sources.

“Answers to the questionnaire issued by the NAB have also been given,” they added.