The Senate has initiated a formal inquiry into alleged corruption within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), directing the tax authority to submit comprehensive details of complaints received against its officials since July 2023.
According to official correspondence, the Senate Secretariat has instructed the FBR to compile and forward information regarding tax officers and staff accused of corruption across various wings and directorates of the organization. The move follows the submission of Starred Questions by Senator Talha Mahmood, seeking transparency and accountability within the country’s top revenue-collecting body.
In his questions, the senator asked whether the Minister for Finance and Revenue would provide complete details of corruption complaints lodged against FBR officials, including the nature of the allegations. He also sought the names and designations of the officers and officials involved, along with information on disciplinary or legal action taken in each case.
In response, the FBR has issued formal instructions to all Chief Commissioners and Directors General of Inland Revenue, directing them to collect and submit the required data without delay. The information is to cover employees from Basic Scale (BS) 1 to BS-16, including those in Time Scale BS-17 positions.
The FBR has emphasized that all concerned formations must forward the requested details to the Board no later than December 16, 2025, to ensure timely submission to the Senate Secretariat. Officials have been instructed to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data, as it will form part of the official parliamentary record.
The Senate’s inquiry comes amid ongoing concerns over governance, transparency, and integrity within revenue institutions. Lawmakers have repeatedly stressed the need to curb corruption in the tax system to improve revenue collection and restore public trust.
The development highlights growing parliamentary scrutiny of the FBR and signals potential further action depending on the findings presented to the Senate.