Islamabad, January 29, 2024 – In a significant step towards strengthening the fight against tax evasion, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) joined forces to organize a two-day workshop on financial intelligence.
The workshop, held at the FBR headquarters on January 27-28, 2024, aimed at fostering collaboration and enhancing capabilities in identifying and combating tax crimes.
Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana, emphasized the critical role of sustained collaboration between FBR and FMU in the development of high-quality financial intelligence. Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Mr. Tiwana stressed the importance of optimal utilization of this intelligence in investigations to effectively tackle tax evasion.
The joint workshop, organized with the support of the FCDO’s UPSCALE Programme, garnered praise from Chairman Tiwana, who extended his congratulations to the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue and the FMU for their efforts in organizing the event. He expressed a desire for further strengthening this partnership to achieve the common goal of combating illicit finance, acknowledging the assistance provided by Mr. Lewis Evans of the British High Commission in facilitating the event.
During his address, Chairman Tiwana outlined the significance of collaborative initiatives such as this workshop in addressing the challenges posed by tax fraud. He highlighted the need for ongoing efforts to broaden the scope of intelligence gathering and investigative techniques, emphasizing the pivotal role of information sharing between FBR and FMU.
Ms. Lubna Farooq, Director General of FMU, extended her gratitude to FBR and FCDO, emphasizing the importance of sustained coordination between the two entities. She underlined the workshop’s role in enhancing the knowledge base and fostering mutual understanding between FBR and FMU to effectively combat tax fraud and evasion. Ms. Farooq described this collaborative approach as instrumental in elevating the effectiveness of investigations and contributing to a more robust framework for combating financial crimes.
The workshop brought together analysts from FMU and investigating officers from the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue. It centered on identifying and understanding risk areas for financial intelligence related to tax crimes, aiming to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary for proactive and targeted investigations.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions and case studies, sharing insights into emerging trends and methodologies employed by tax evaders. The exchange of information and experiences during the workshop is expected to contribute to the development of innovative strategies in the ongoing fight against financial crimes.
The successful collaboration between FBR and FMU, coupled with the support of the FCDO’s UPSCALE Programme, marks a significant milestone in the collective effort to strengthen financial intelligence and combat tax evasion. The workshop’s outcomes are expected to have a lasting impact on the effectiveness of future investigations and the overall resilience of the financial system against illicit activities.
