{
  "id": 18043730,
  "title": "FTO orders inquiry against senior member of FBR",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/fto-orders-inquiry-against-senior-member-of-fbr",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-04T00:25:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40447287/fto-orders-inquiry-against-senior-member-of-fbr"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has mandated the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to initiate a thorough fact-finding inquiry into a senior IRS/BS-21 member, who previously served as Accountant Member at the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR). This directive stems from the FTO's findings of the official's repeated refusal to address the agency's notices and orders, which the FTO considers a separate offense deserving of legal action. The decision was made following a complaint filed by a company's CFO, AzharShafiqManj, represented by Advocate WaheedShahzad Butt. The company had originally filed an appeal on 9 August 2024, before the ATIR, which included the now-investigated member as a bench member.\n\nThe complaint raised a critical issue: the FBR had not served an order on the taxpayer for over two years, despite multiple reminders. Upon reviewing the ATIR's online portal, the company discovered that the case was listed as \"Heard\" with a \"Date of Order\" of 12 September 2025. This discrepancy prompted the complainant to question whether an order had been issued and unlawfully withheld, jeopardizing the taxpayer's right to appeal, or if no order had been passed at all, and the portal entry was incorrect. Attempts to obtain a response from the ATIR Registrar and the FBR Chairman were unsuccessful.\n\nThe FTO concluded that the respondent either lacks a defense or is deliberately evading compliance. Consequently, the FTO determined that the outcome of the appeal requires further examination. The complainant's accusations against the official remain unaddressed. The FTO deemed it necessary for the appropriate authority to conduct a formal inquiry before taking further steps. They recommended that the FBR Chairman secure a direct statement from the FBR Member to submit to the FTO. Waheed Butt expressed satisfaction with the order, emphasizing that it sends a strong message that no senior officer is exempt from accountability when taxpayer rights are involved. He stressed that taxpayers should not be left in the dark for years regarding the result of their appeals. The order underscores that ignoring the FTO's notices has legal repercussions, and the FBR is expected to ensure its officials cooperate with the Ombudsman's office.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to conduct a formal fact-finding inquiry against a sitting senior IRS/BS-21 Member of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), earlier served as Accountant Member at the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR). In this regard, the FTO has issued landmark recommendations against the said official. The FTO takes…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}