The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue was informed that some officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) allegedly hold undeclared assets beyond their reported income. The issue was raised during a committee meeting on Wednesday.
Senator Talha Mahmood told the committee that certain FBR officials earning between Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 400,000 per month owned luxury vehicles and assets worth billions of rupees. He said the value of these assets appeared far higher than their declared income. He urged the formation of a sub-committee to investigate the matter.
The senator also expressed concerns about provisions in the FBR Amendment Bill 2026. He argued that the proposed changes would give sweeping powers to the FBR chairman. According to him, concentrating excessive authority in one office could create governance concerns. He also claimed that businesses are often treated harshly by tax authorities during enforcement actions.
Responding to the concerns, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said all civil servants, including FBR officers, are legally bound to declare their assets. He noted that asset declarations are required under parliamentary directives and existing laws. He encouraged lawmakers to point out any irregularities so that accountability can be ensured.
However, the minister stated that forming a separate sub-committee was unnecessary. He said such matters could be addressed within the current oversight framework. He clarified that the main focus of the discussion was the proposed Tax Policy Board under the amendment bill, not the appointment of the FBR chairman.
Despite the strong objections raised during the session, the committee approved the FBR Amendment Bill 2026. The approval came after detailed debate and discussion among members.
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The development has sparked broader debate about transparency and accountability within FBR. Lawmakers emphasized the need for strict monitoring and fair enforcement of tax laws. The matter is expected to remain under discussion in future parliamentary sessions.
