Investigation committee set up as FBR’s 'track and trace' system goes inactive

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set up a five-member investigation committee on Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) track and trace system being inactive.

According to media reports quoting FBR sources, the committee has been set up under the chairmanship of former Finance Secretary Tariq Bajwa, in which Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan Single Window and CEO National IT Board are committee members while Additional Secretary Ministry of Law and Member Technology CDA will be part of the committee.

It is also reported that the inquiry committee will look into the reasons behind the failure of FBR to implement track and trace system. International Monetary Fund (IMF) had complained that FBR could not implement track and trace system in four sectors in two years.

IMF has asked the government to fully implement track and trace system to prevent massive tax evasion. FBR could not implement the system in last two years in cigarette, cement, sugar and fertilizer sectors.

Reports suggest that the committee will also examine the role of FBR officers in the failure of the system. It will also probe the stamp system instead of the electronic system and vendor efficiency for the track and trace system.