The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has successfully apprehended a suspect allegedly involved in sales tax fraud exceeding Rs 4 billion in Karachi, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Authorities arrested Bilal Imam, described as the mastermind behind multiple tax fraud schemes, after an extensive 18-month search. The arrest marks a significant development in the FBR's ongoing crackdown on tax evasion.
According to FBR officials, Imam stands accused of involvement in a Rs 1.9 billion sales tax fraud case linked to Regional Tax Office-1 (RTO-1). Additionally, he faces separate charges in a Rs 2.3 billion fraud case connected to the Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU).
"Two separate FIRs have been registered against the suspect by RTO-1 and LTU," an FBR spokesperson stated. Officials noted that the accused had been evading authorities for approximately 18 months alongside his brother, who remains at large.
Following his arrest, Imam was presented before the Special Judge of Customs, Taxation, and Anti-Smuggling Court in Karachi. The court granted a four-day physical remand of the suspect to allow investigators to conduct further interrogation.
The FBR has intensified efforts to combat tax fraud as part of broader measures to enhance revenue collection and reduce tax evasion nationwide. This arrest represents one of several recent enforcement actions targeting organized financial crimes in Pakistan's economic hub.
Authorities have not disclosed specific details about how the fraud was allegedly perpetrated or the investigation techniques that led to the suspect's capture. The FBR is expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses.
