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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered a forensic audit and fresh investigations into a multibillion-rupee sales-tax fraud linked to the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) automation system, directing officials to identify those involved and report within three weeks.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, a fact-finding committee had been formed to investigate a large-scale sales-tax fraud that began in 2018-19.

The committee concluded the fraud was made possible due to Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited’s (PRAL) outdated digital infrastructure, lack of monitoring and inadequate database protection, which enabled manipulation of tax records.

“A forensic audit of PRAL’s system must be conducted by an international consultancy firm,” the prime minister said while chairing a meeting.

He directed investigations to identify the institutions, companies and individuals involved in the fraud.

“The investigative committee will present its report within three weeks, after which strict legal action will be taken against those found responsible,” the statement from Sharif’s office said.

During the meeting on tax reforms, the prime minister was briefed on new digital safeguards introduced to prevent manipulation of FBR data, including an audit vault, database protection wall, and real-time monitoring system capable of logging every IP address involved in data changes.

The statement said the meeting was also told that Pakistan’s case study on tax reforms had recently been highlighted at the World Bank’s annual conference in Washington, where it was commended as part of global efforts toward transparent revenue administration.

The prime minister maintained the ongoing reforms at the FBR would make tax evasion “virtually impossible” under the upgraded digital system while reaffirming his government’s commitment to strengthening transparency and accountability within the country’s tax administration.

KARACHI: Iran Air, the national flag carrier of Iran, completed its inaugural flight to Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta on Oct. 29, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said, marking the airline’s first direct connection between Mashhad and the Balochistan capital.

The airline will now operate one flight every Wednesday on the Mashhad–Zahedan–Quetta route, with the service expected to strengthen air connectivity and boost trade and tourism between the two neighboring countries.

“Iran Air flight 826 will now operate once weekly every Wednesday, arriving in Quetta at 9:30pm,” the PAA said in a statement on Thursday.

Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhel was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, which was also attended by Iran’s Consul General Ali Reza Rajaei and other dignitaries. The national anthems of both countries were played on the occasion.

The launch of Iran Air’s Quetta flight is expected to greatly facilitate travel for Shia pilgrims from Balochistan, who frequently visit Iranian cities of Mashhad and Qom.

The new air service will offer a safer, faster and more convenient alternative to the long and often challenging road journey through border crossings on buses, which have at times been targeted by separatist militants.