FBR files 37 references against owners of benami assets

In an ongoing operation against the benami properties and vehicles, the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Benami Zone, Karachi, has filed 37 references against the owners of such properties worth Rs16.56 billion, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

Quoting sources, the TV channel reported that the references covered 280 acres of land and 15 benami cars as well.

Giving further details, they said that 17 references had been filed only in the first two months of the current year, while the number of references was 20 in the preceding year, 2020. 

The sources further said that the Benami Zone of the FBR would confiscate these properties as well as vehicles following the court’s orders.

A few days back, FBR Karachi’s Anti-Benami Zone had identified 21 vehicles. It had been revealed that 11 expensive cars were registered in the name of a single person named Abdul Ghaffar.

Similarly, three expensive cars were registered in the names of Umair Iskander and Abdul Hakeem each. 

Anti-Benami Zone officials had told 24News TV channel that notices had been issued to the owners of these vehicles following which references would be filed against them. 

 They further said they would be asked as to where they got this money from. Besides that they would also be asked to disclose their annual income, they added. 

Officials said if these people refused to own these cars then action would be taken against them. Their cars will also be confiscated on court orders.

The FBR Karachi’s Anti-Benami Zone had so far taken action against the owners of 42 such cars.

Similarly, 24NewsHD TV channel had reported on February 18 that the Anti-Benami Zone had identified six expensive Benami vehicles registered in the names of two persons.

A Land Cruiser and two corollas were registered in the names of Abdul Hakim and Umair Sikandar while an Audi, a new jeep and a premier car were registered in Abdul Hakim's name.

Quoting sources, the TV channel had reported that the FBR would summon both these persons to give their assets’ trail and in the event of failure to satisfy the Bureau officials, they could be arrested as well as their vehicles could also be impounded. 

As per the initial investigations, the owner of these vehicles was a different person while cars were registered on other persons' CNICs.