Dar orders probe into leak of tax info of Gen Bajwa’s family

The government considers the breach of privacy of the outgoing army chief a serious matter, and intends to bring those responsible to the book.

By Muhammad Ali

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has ordered an express probe into the leakage of the tax information of the family members of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), officials said Monday.

The probe will be headed by Tariq Mehmood Pasha, the SAPM on Revenue, and report within twenty-four hours, a terse press release put out by the Finance Division said.

The press release said, “Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has taken serious notice of the illegal and unwarranted leakage of tax information of the family members of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This is clearly violative of the complete confidentiality of tax information that the Law provides.

“Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has taken serious notice of the illegal and unwarranted leakage of tax information of the family members of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This is clearly violative of the complete confidentiality of tax information that the Law provides.

“In view of this serious lapse on the part of to-date unknown functionaries the Finance minister has directed the SAPM on Revenue Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha to personally lead an immediate investigation into the violation of tax law and breach of FBR data, affix responsibility and submit a report within twenty-four hours.”