FBR to plug revenue loopholes in South Punjab

MULTAN: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has established the office of Director General (Special Initiatives Customs) to identify loopholes in the revenue collection mechanism and eliminate false declarations, under-invoicing, and smuggling.

In this regard, the FBR issued a notification, which says that the establishment of the office of Director General (Special Initiatives Customs) and two Directors (Special Initiatives Customs) in the FBR has been approved to identify loopholes in the revenue collection mechanism (if any), discuss measures to prevent false declarations and measures related to under-invoicing and collaborate with field formations to improve efforts to prevent smuggling.

The notification aims to remove many hurdles causing huge losses to the national exchequer. The Director General (Special Initiatives-Customs) will also coordinate with other Ministries/Divisions/Departments on Customs-related matters. The salient features/functions for the office of the Director General/Directors (Special Initiatives-Customs) are: The Director General/Directors (Special Initiatives-Customs) will maintain coordination and information exchange mechanisms with field formations, other Ministries/Divisions/Departments and provincial authorities on Customs matters assigned by the Board.

Special Initiatives-Customs unit will identify and examine loopholes in the revenue collection system and suggest corrective measures to address these flaws. The Director General/Directors (Special Initiatives-Customs) will eliminate attempts at misrepresentation and under-invoicing. The FBR statement said that the newly-established unit will advise the Customs Academy in designing special courses and workshops to create awareness among customs officials about the misrepresentation and under-invoicing system.