LTBA adopts resolution condemning alleged conduct of FBR official

ISLAMABAD: The Larkana Tax Bar Association (LTBA) has unanimously adopted a formal Resolution condemning the alleged conduct of Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Regional Tax Office (RTO) Sukkur, in connection with Tax Year 2025 affairs of members of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA). The Resolution, passed in a duly convened meeting of LTBA office bearers and members, calls for an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other competent authorities. As per resolution, the controversy arose when, according to information placed before the Association, PMA members in the Larkana region were allegedly encouraged and pressured to file Revised Returns of Income declaring substantially enhanced tax liabilities, without the provision of any documentary evidence, third-party information, audit findings, or other legal justification as required under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. When contacted, Abdul Waheed Tunio, a learned member of the LTBA told this correspondence that LTBA engaged constructively throughout, facilitating meetings between PMA leadership, including Dr Sikandar, President PMA Larkana and Dr Dayali Gul, President PMA Sindh and tax authorities. The PMA leadership demonstrated willingness to cooperate and proposed lawful measures to contribute additional revenue to the national exchequer. However, when LTBA repeatedly sought the legal basis for the demanded revisions, no satisfactory material was produced. LTBA maintained its principled legal position that no taxpayer may be compelled, directly or indirectly, to revise a return of income unless such revision is supported by law, evidence and the taxpayer’s own voluntary and informed disclosure. Accordingly, LTBA declined to endorse any proposal that, in its legal opinion, could result in the obtaining of revised returns without lawful grounds, Waheed added. What has drawn sharp criticism is what LTBA describes as an act of apparent retaliation. Subsequent to the Association’s refusal to endorse the proposed revisions, the audit cases of President and General Secretary LTBA, were selected through the office of the CIR, Larkana Zone. LTBA contends that the timing and circumstances of these audit selections create a serious and reasonable apprehension of mala fide intention, abuse of authority, and victimization of elected bar representatives for discharging their professional obligations independently and in accordance with law. The Resolution sets out six formal demands, strong condemnation of any attempt to obtain revised returns without legal basis or statutory justification, expression of no-confidence in the conduct of the said tax official, an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry by the FBR Chairman and competent authorities into the allegations of coercive conduct and retaliatory audit selection. Review of the audit cases of the LTBA President and General Secretary by a higher independent authority, with withdrawal of the audits if found to be mala fide or retaliatory. Appropriate disciplinary and administrative action against any officer found responsible for misuse of authority, LTBA added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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