ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed relevant authorities to expedite legal action by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) to ensure early closure of income tax court cases. The Prime Minister, who chaired a review meeting on expediting legal cases of FBR, ordered the services of reputed lawyers to be engaged to represent FBR in income tax cases. He said that the government is urgently introducing reforms in the FBR system. “By the grace of Allah Almighty, the positive results of reforms in FBR are continuing,” he said. He also managed the forensic audit of tax cases. Chief Minister Shehbaz promised that police officers found involved in fabricating cases on flimsy or false grounds would be punished. On the other hand, he said that the officers who worked honestly and hard will be rewarded with special incentives. The meeting was told that on the instructions of the Prime Minister, renowned lawyers were admitted to the bench, as a result of which 586 cases were disposed of in the High Court and 637 pending cases in the Supreme Court from July to December 2024. The meeting was also informed that 33,522 cases involving Rs 4.7 trillion are currently pending in various courts and tribunals across the country. The meeting was told that on the instructions of the Prime Minister, a litigation management dashboard has been created in the FBR for the high courts, while the preparation of the tax tribunal management system in the Ministry of Law and Justice is in its final stages. , which will be launched soon. Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, Chairman FBR and other senior officials attended the meeting.
