Karachi, March 13, 2025 – The Regional Tax Office (RTO-I) Karachi has achieved a major breakthrough by arresting the mastermind behind a Rs 4.2 billion sales tax fraud.
The accused, Bilal Imam, was taken into custody after being on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s most-wanted list for nearly 18 months.
According to RTO-I Karachi, the suspect was involved in fraudulent activities that led to a tax loss of Rs 1.9 billion under RTO-I Karachi and Rs 2.3 billion under the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO). Authorities confirmed that both RTO-I Karachi and LTO had registered separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against the accused, marking the case as one of the most significant tax fraud operations in recent times.
Following his arrest, Bilal Imam was produced before the Special Court for Customs, Taxation, and Anti-Smuggling, where the judge approved a four-day physical remand for further investigation. Officials from RTO-I Karachi have now intensified their probe into the suspect’s financial dealings, seeking to uncover any additional accomplices or networks involved in the fraud.
To combat tax evasion more effectively, RTO-I Karachi has escalated its nationwide crackdown on financial crimes. The tax office is actively working on identifying other fraudulent taxpayers and is closely monitoring high-risk transactions. The objective is to strengthen enforcement measures and ensure strict legal action against individuals and businesses engaged in sales tax fraud.
Dr. Faheem Muhammad, Chief Commissioner of RTO-I Karachi, praised the efforts of his investigative team for their dedication in bringing this case to justice. He emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and strict enforcement to deter future financial crimes. The Chief Commissioner further directed his team to conduct thorough inquiries to expose other potential tax fraud schemes and safeguard the country’s financial integrity.
With RTO-I Karachi tightening its grip on tax evaders, authorities expect more arrests and legal proceedings in the coming weeks. The crackdown serves as a clear warning to fraudulent taxpayers that the government remains committed to strengthening tax compliance and ensuring economic transparency.