FIA opens probe into alleged Rs1.12 trillion tax evasion in Ex-FATA, PATA

The inquiry follows directions from the Senate Sub-Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, after which a five-member Joint Enquiry Team

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a criminal inquiry into an alleged tax-evasion case involving imported materials worth Rs1.12 trillion in tax-exempt areas of the former FATA and PATA regions and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to official documents obtained by Minute Mirror.

The inquiry follows directions from the Senate Sub-Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, after which a five-member Joint Enquiry Team headed by an Additional Director General of the FIA was constituted to establish the facts surrounding the alleged irregularities.

Documents show that the FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad registered Criminal Enquiry No. 153/2026 after receiving directions from the Senate sub-committee through a letter dated August 18, 2026. The directions followed a meeting of the committee held on August 10.

In a notice issued on August 20, the FIA summoned representatives of M/s Yasmeen Noor Edible Oils Pvt Ltd, Malakand, asking the company’s owner, director, managing director or relevant office bearer to appear before the Joint Enquiry Team at the FIA Islamabad Zone on September 10 at 10am.

The investigation is focused on allegations that tax concessions available to industrial units in the erstwhile FATA and PATA areas may have been misused to import raw materials without payment of applicable duties and taxes.

The FIA has sought extensive corporate, production, customs and financial records from the company to trace the alleged transactions. The documents under scrutiny include incorporation and ownership records, details of machinery and factory facilities, employee information, production capacity, utility connections and records of imported materials.

Investigators have also sought import declarations, customs documents, bank statements, financial details and information relating to letters of credit and other payment channels. Production, sales, electricity consumption, local purchases and records of material sold by the company are also expected to be examined as part of the inquiry.

The competent authority has constituted the five-member Joint Enquiry Team under the supervision of an Additional DG FIA to investigate the matter on its merits and determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations.

The inquiry is also examining whether tax exemptions introduced to encourage industrial development in the former tribal areas were allegedly exploited by diverting imported goods to other parts of the country without payment of applicable customs duties, sales tax and income tax.

The figure of Rs1.12 trillion cited in the FIA documents relates to the value of imported material allegedly linked to the tax-evasion matter and will be subject to verification during the investigation.

The appearance of company representatives and examination of the requested records will determine the course of further legal action. Investigators may take additional measures if evidence of financial or tax-related violations is established.

The obtained copies of the FIA notice and related correspondence from the Senate sub-committee. The investigation remains ongoing, and no final finding of wrongdoing has been made at this stage.