The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) can now access people’s internet activity and phone call records when investigating tax fraud. Internet service providers, telecom companies, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) must share customer details whenever the FBR asks.
Tax commissioners can request subscriber names, call logs, internet usage data, and even import or export records linked to an investigation. Officials say this will help trace hidden money trails, especially in digital transactions.
Under the new law, the FBR can also hire private auditors and technical experts to assist with audits and investigations. These experts must follow strict confidentiality rules and cannot share any taxpayer information.
According to officials, bringing in private sector specialists will help improve valuations, technical reviews, and the overall quality of investigations.
The FBR says it will only use this data for legal purposes, and any official or expert who leaks taxpayer information will face legal action. Officials believe these new powers give the FBR stronger tools to detect tax fraud while still protecting citizens’ privacy.
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