ISLAMABAD
Chairman FBR gave clean chit to Shabbar Zaidi in PAC meeting stating that tax refunds made by him were valid and legal.
Rana Tanvir Hussain presided the PAC meeting here on Thursday in which tax refund payments and different court cases worth Rs.13 billion were discussed.
Chairman FBR said that PAC can call Shabbar Zaidi to appear before committee if it wants to probe further. He further briefed the committee that FBR is facing a lot of difficulties in collection of taxes due to stay orders from the courts and FBR is trying its best to recover the amount stuck in these court cases as soon as possible.
Chairman FBR added that FBR has already approached High Courts and Supreme Court to constitute special benches for early disposal of such cases.
It was suggested in the meeting to recover the amount from respective provinces shares in NFC if they fail to pay electricity and gas bills.
Rana Tanvir Hussain advised to amend NFC in this regard as gas and electricity bills amounting to billions are still pending on part of different provinces.
Federal Minister Shibli Faraz offered Chairman PAC that government shall support in full if opposition moves such amendment. He added that arrears of 250 billion rupees in terms of bills were pending on part of government of Balochistan.
Rana Tanvir Hussain replied that it is the responsibility of government to table such amendment; they are not here just to enjoy the power.
Committee member Khawaja Asif said that government of Sind had to pay electricity bills amounting to Rs.110 billion six years back. A police station in Hyderabad was supply electricity to whole mohalla. Khawaja Asif further added that Shabbar Zaidi should not have accepted this portfolio. Engro, Habib Bank, Standard Chartered had reservations regarding illegal tax payments.
Chairman Committee Rana Tanvir Hussain added that MCB also had reservations in this regard. Shabbar Zaidi was Chartered Accountant of Engro, Habib Bank and Standard Chartered.
Chariman FBR then said committee can call Shabbar Zaidi to explain any ambiguity. He added that if any illegal payment was made it should be identified in Audit Reports. An improvement in the tax refund system has been observed in last two years.
