–FBR official informs court documents of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister are confidential
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to provide the court with tax details of Aleema Khanum, sister of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The top court earlier had taken notice of 44 individuals or their benamidars through whom the properties have been possessed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As Khanum was identified as a beneficiary of one such property in UAE, a notice was delivered to her address as well as emailed to her. In response to the notice, Khanum’s staff informed the court that she is abroad.
During the proceedings, the FBR chairman told the court that Khanum had availed the tax amnesty scheme introduced in the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), making her tax record confidential. However, he said that documents would be provided if the court orders for them
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar then inquired, “Does Aleema Khanum own any property in Dubai or did she declare any foreign property in her amnesty scheme. This matter is being highlighted for days now.” At this, a member of the land revenue board said that Aleema Khanum owns a property abroad.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, “To claim the amnesty scheme, foreign properties need to be declared. Why are you not telling us this when the chief justice is asking you.” The member of the land revenue board responded, “I was talking about confidential details.”
Justice Nisar turned to the member of the land revenue board and said, “Is Aleema Khanum’s property in your name or is it your property? Why do you keep bringing up that it is confidential?”
The CJP then ordered that sealed documents regarding the information of Khanum’s offshore property be provided to the court. “You can provide the information to the court in a sealed envelope and we will take a look at it.”
The top judge also ordered the FBR official to probe into 20 people, earlier pinpointed by SC, to which the official responded that board is doing as ordered.
“You sent notices to all of Pakistan and there is no focus on the properties the court had asked for,” the top judge remarked.
from Pakistan Today
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