The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been granted extensive new powers to monitor citizens’ internet usage and phone records, marking a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to combat tax fraud and uncover hidden financial transactions.
Under the updated legal framework, telecom companies, internet service providers, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) are now legally obligated to provide customer data to the FBR upon request. This includes subscriber names, call logs, technical usage information, and even import or export records associated with tax investigations. Authorities argue that these measures will help trace digital money trails and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
In addition to accessing data, the FBR can now appoint private auditors and technical experts to support investigations. While these specialists are required to adhere to strict confidentiality protocols, the move has sparked public debate about potential privacy concerns. Officials emphasize that the new powers are intended exclusively for lawful purposes and warn that unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information will be met with stringent legal action.
According to government sources, the expanded powers aim to provide the FBR with unprecedented tools to detect tax evasion, improve compliance, and strengthen Pakistan’s overall revenue system. Authorities maintain that while the law increases the agency’s monitoring capabilities, it also incorporates safeguards to protect citizens’ personal information.
This development reflects a broader trend of leveraging technology and digital data to enforce taxation laws, signaling the FBR’s commitment to modernizing its investigative methods in line with global practices.
