5 people arrested in major tax fraud operation

HYDERABAD/FAISALABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) helped arrest five people linked to a sales tax fraud scheme valued at billions of rupees, as part of a larger crackdown on tax evasion.

The arrest were made by the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation in Hyderabad and Faisalabad.

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The operation follows recent statements by the Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb and the FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial on October 10. The authorities promised to strengthen enforcement measures to improve tax compliance across the cash-starved Pakistan.

The move aims to ‘ensure’ that all businesses will adhere to tax regulations.

The detained accused are believed to have played a key role in a ring specialising in tax fraud. The FBR claims that it will target anyone who ‘exploits’ legal and regulatory loopholes for personal gain.