Press Release Title: Senator Saifullah Abro, Convener Sub-Committee of The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad

Press Release Date: 20th July, 2026

‎SENATE SUB-COMMITTEE REVIEWS TAX EXEMPTION REGIME, BORDER SECURITY AND SENATE EMPLOYEES HOUSING SOCIETY; DIRECTS SWIFT ACTION BY FBR AND FIA ‎‎ ‎A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control was held at Parliament House under the convenorship of Senator Saifullah Abro to examine the effectiveness of border security mechanisms at key import entry points, alleged tax evasion through the consumption of imported raw material meant for tax-exempt areas, and the affairs of the Senate Employees Housing Cooperative Society. ‎ ‎The meeting was attended by Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood and Senator Umer Farooq, while Senator Dilawar Khan participated as a special invitee. ‎ ‎Officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) informed the committee that a detailed report on the tobacco taxation issue had already been submitted. They further stated that provisional data regarding tax-exempt imports across various sectors had been compiled through manual records and would be finalized within one week. ‎ ‎The committee expressed serious concern over the significant disparity between the value of tax-exempt imported raw materials and the consumption certificates issued against them. Members directed the FBR to thoroughly investigate the matter, particularly in high-value sectors such as ghee, to identify tax leakages, broaden the tax base, and recover allegedly evaded revenue. ‎ ‎The committee was informed that around 50 cases relating to rejected consumption certificates are currently pending before the courts after the affected parties obtained stay orders from the Peshawar High Court. FBR officials stated that the High Court's decision, which held that the FBR could not reject consumption certificates but should instead conduct audits, has been challenged before the Federal Constitutional Court. ‎ ‎Senator Saifullah Abro directed the FBR to actively pursue the matter before the Federal Constitutional Court, emphasizing that effective scrutiny of tax-exempt raw material imports could generate substantial revenue for the national exchequer. He also instructed the FBR to submit a comprehensive report to the committee within ten days. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the tax system by identifying loopholes and proposing measures to prevent misuse of tax exemptions. ‎ ‎The committee also took serious notice of complaints regarding the Senate Employees Housing Cooperative Society, particularly reports that Senate employees had yet to receive possession of their plots and that the society was allegedly being managed by private individuals instead of its members. ‎ ‎Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the committee that an FIR against the management of Senate Housing Society had previously been registered on the directions of the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan. However, the committee directed the FIA to submit an updated report on the current status of the society's current management within one week.   ‎Senator Saifullah Abro instructed the FIA to take strict legal action against those unlawfully managing the society and stressed that the Senate Employees Housing Cooperative Society must remain under the control of its legitimate members. He reiterated the committee's resolve to safeguard the rights and interests of Senate employees and ensure transparency and accountability in the affairs of the society.