Top court seeks details of assets owned by Pakistanis in UAE

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to submit their respective reports on assets owned by Pakistanis in United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tuesday.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar headed a two member bench and it heard a case pertaining to Pakistanis’ properties abroad.

During the hearing, FBR chairman informed the bench that a total of 775 people furnished affidavits with regard to their properties abroad, adding that 60 cases involving more properties have been identified which would likely yield more money in taxes.

He requested the judges to grant some time to submit a comprehensive report in this regard.

A lawyer for a citizen, Waqar Ahmed, informed the bench that his client had paid a penalty of Rs60 million for owing assets abroad.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, questioned the FBR chief about progress on 21 model cases, to which he replied that action was being taken in this regard.

The chief justice remarked an impression was given that a whopping Rs3,000 billion could be collected on properties owned by Pakistanis in Dubai.

The FBR chairman informed that more than Rs160 million had been received in taxes on such properties while Rs140 million more are estimated to be generated.

When asked if Aleema Khan, the sister of Prime Minister Imran Khan, has paid a penalty on her assets abroad, he replied in the negative and added she has to make payment until Jan 13. He said Ms Khan has to pay Rs290 million penalty.