ISLAMABAD: In a first of its kind operation, the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Anti Benami Initiative confiscated a luxury vehicle n the federal capital.
According to a statement, the initial clue to this vehicle’s ownership was traced from Excise Office in Islamabad. The suspected benami owner was not enrolled with FBR and upon enquiry disowned the vehicle and disclosed that he was just a driver whose CNIC was used by the beneficial owner of the vehicle.
The vehicle was traced to a house in Islamabad which was subsequently searched. On 2nd June 2021, the vehicle was confiscated with the help of local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) under the Benami Transactions Prohibition Act 2017. After completion of inquiry and investigation, a reference was filed to the adjudicating authority which was decided in favor of ABI.
In accordance with the directions of the prime minister, momentum against benami assets accelerated in June 2019 with the inception of Anti Benami Zones across Pakistan.
The tax regulator said the three newly created zones, while functioning under the supervision of the directorate general, have so far filed more than 90 references containing various categories of assets including shares, bank accounts, vehicles, land, and buildings. Among them are 33 vehicles that will be confiscated as soon as these references attain finality under the law.
