President Zardari has directed the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to take immediate action on complaints filed by the Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) against officials of the Corporate Tax Office (CTO) Islamabad. The directive came after the President’s Secretariat received a formal petition from the LTBA highlighting alleged misconduct and threatening behavior by certain tax officials.
According to the letter issued by the President’s Secretariat, President Zardari instructed the FBR Chairman to carefully review the grievances and ensure appropriate action in accordance with the law. The LTBA stated that officials from the CTO had used contemptuous and intimidating language in their communication with Waheed Shahzad Butt, Advocate Supreme Court.
The association quoted remarks from an official letter warning that “accusing a government officer without proof can lead to legal action.” The LTBA argued that such comments were disrespectful and amounted to institutional intimidation. It said the remarks violated the decorum expected in quasi-judicial proceedings before the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO).
The LTBA further pointed out that this behavior was against the Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023. The Act defines “intimidation, threat, coercion, insult, or interference” toward a lawyer performing his duties as punishable offences.
In its petition, the LTBA requested President Zardari to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. It also urged that the concerned tax official issue a written apology before the FTO and that the case be referred to police authorities for registration of an FIR under the applicable law.
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By directing the FBR to take action, President Zardari emphasized the need for professionalism, respect, and accountability among government officials. His intervention aims to ensure that lawyers can perform their duties without intimidation and that institutional integrity within tax departments is upheld.
