FBR Official Caught Cheating to Win Lucky Draw With Fake Receipts

A tax official from the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Bahawalpur was arrested while confirming over 100 Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) sales tax invoices using the same point of sale (POS) ID in order to win prizes in the shop’s lucky draw (POS Invoicing Prize Sche me).

The FBR said today that disciplinary proceedings against the accused, Muhammad Akram, Inspector-IR (BS-16), RTO, Bahawalpur, have been begun under the Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules, 2020, through the Charge Sheet of Allegations dated 1 March 2022, on the following accusations.

‘While performing his duties under Section 40B of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, on the premises of M/s Haji Rasheed Sweet Shop, Bahawalpur, the Inspector-IR and his spouse each verified more than 100 invoices from the same POS ID, thereby abusing his authority to increase his chances of winning the prize in the lucky draw.’

The Order of Inquiry named Attiya Rahman, Additional Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax Office (RTO), Bahawalpur, as the Enquiry Officer. She filed an Inquiry Report stating that Inspector-IR Muhammad Akram seems to have abused his power in order to increase his chances of winning the fortunate draw reward. She advised that the accused Inspector-IR be subjected to a minor punishment of ‘Censure’ under Rule 4(2)(a) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 20.

Akram was handed a Show Cause Notice and told to say if he wanted to be heard in person based on the conclusions of the Inquiry Officer. On May 10, 2022, he responded to the Show Cause Notice, denying the claims filed against him but declining to pursue a personal hearing.

The accused was found guilty of ‘Misconduct’ after a member of the Authority examined all parts of the case, the Inquiry Report, and the reply to the Show Cause Notice. According to the FBR judgment, the Authority concurred with the Inquiry Officer’s recommendations and issued a minor penalty of “Censure” on Akram under Rule 4(2)(a) of the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.

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