Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Ali Arshad Hakeem on Wednesday assured the Senate body that FBR would constitute a fact-finding enquiry committee to hold investigation over the disclosure of information of tax returns of the parliamentarians to the Press and would present the report within two week.

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, which met under the chair of its chairperson Nasreen Jalil, has discussed one-point agenda, to enquire into circumstances as to how and why classified and confidential information of tax returns of parliamentarians was leaked out/ handed over the press/media. Senators have shown serious concerns over the leakage of secret information of the parliamentarians, as they said the report was incorrect and not based on facts.  

Chairman FBR Ali Arshad Hakeem briefed the Committee that only FBR carries data of tax returns and assured the committee to hold an inquiry against the disclosure of information about tax returns of parliamentarians to press. He further informed that FBR would present report in this regard in two weeks before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue.

He also informed that all particulars contained in a return of income or the annexed documents on accounts furnished by a taxpayer to FBR are confidential and no public servant can disclose any such particular under sub-section (1) of section 216 of the income Tax Ordinance, 2001. He appraised that any one who discloses any particulars in contravention of section 216 is guilty of an offence under section 198 punishable on conviction with fine or and imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

FBR Chairman also informed that department requisitioned reports from all field offices regarding unauthorised disclosure of information relating to tax returns filed by the parliamentarians and all offices have categorically denied having furnished any such information to press.

During the meeting Senators alleged that officials of FBR are involved in disclosure of information relating to tax returns of parliamentarians and blamed that a conspiracy is being hatched against parliamentarians. The committee meeting was summoned on the request of Senators (from the treasury as well as opposition benches) with one voice severely criticized the publication of the report and said that the report was baseless as some details about tax returns of a number of MPs as mentioned in the report were incorrect.