Panama Leaks: FBR admits immediate steps were not taken

ISLAMABAD: The legal representative for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday admitted that the institute had not taken immediate steps with regard to the details submitted by the Sharif family in the Panama Leaks case.

According to details, a five-member larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed proceedings of the Panama Leaks case. The legal representative of the FBR was called in court to provide details regarding the names of Pakistanis mentioned in the Panama Papers scandal.

"Prove your actions with the help of records," said Justice Gulzar. "What steps were undertaken by you after the replies were submitted?" he asked.

The bench seemed irked at the FBR's delay in carrying out its task as it stated that the bureau had taken a year to complete a job that could be finished within hours.

"Whatever the FBR is doing, is in front of everyone," remarked Justice Gulzar. "For how long has a person remained abroad, can be discovered in a minute," he added.

"When and to which institute did you write the letter to demand travel history? Produce the record," asked Justice Gulzar.

The FBR lawyer admitted that he did not have the record to produce before the bench. The court asked him whether he needed the Supreme Court's interference to enhance the scope of the investigation.

The FBR lawyer replied that the issue was pending in the Supreme Court hence it caused complication.

"We admit immediate steps were not taken," stated the FBR lawyer. "The confirmation of 39 foreign-based companies' owners could not be done," he added.

"In other words, what you are saying is that the FBR has done nothing with regard to money laundering?" inquired the bench.

The FBR lawyer stated that there were separate laws and institute to tackle the issue of money laundering to which Justice Ejaz Afzal replied:-

"Where the FBR wants to take action, it takes it immediately. You should have taken action immediately."

Justice Khosa remarked that had any institute done its job, then the case would not have come to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the first place.

During the last hearing, the Supreme Court had ordered NAB and FBR chairmen to appear in person in the court and present the record of money laundering cases against Sharif family and Hudabiya Mills.