ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Inland Revenue (Operations) Wing has failed to implement a lawful order of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) in favour of a corporate entity, reflecting non-compliance and absence of accountability within the tax machinery.
Recently, according to the FTO’s recorded findings, the Corporate Tax Office (CTO), Islamabad deliberately failed to submit para-wise comments on the complainant’s allegations, despite a clear statutory obligation under section 10(4) of the FTO Ordinance, 2000, read with sections 9(1) & (2) of the Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Act (FOIRA), 2013.
This failure persisted even though the FBR had already issued explicit circulars directing all field formations to submit detailed para-wise replies in FTO proceedings.
Instead of complying with the law, the department adopted a casual and evasive approach, merely stating that the “refund application is under process,” without addressing a single allegation raised in the complaint. The FTO categorically held that such conduct reflects neglect, inattention, and a wilful disregard of statutory duties and binding instructions of the Board. Taking serious notice of this serious lapse the FTO formally referred the matter to the Member IR-Operations, FBR, advising him to personally examine the misconduct and initiate appropriate disciplinary action against the delinquent officers.
Waheed Shahzad Butt Advocate who is representing the complainant, has termed this episode as a disturbing signal for rule of law, noting that when tax authorities themselves defy oversight institutions, it undermines taxpayer confidence and weakens accountability mechanisms. He stresses that failure to file para-wise comments is not a technical lapse but a direct violation of law, designed to frustrate justice and delay relief to aggrieved citizens.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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