The inquiry committee, headed by Secretary Finance Imdad Ullah Bosal, has found former FBR Chairman Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, a former Member Inland Revenue Operations, and the Project Director responsible for the inadequate implementation of the Track and Trace System (TTS).
As per a statement from the Prime Minister Secretariat, the prime minister presided over a high-level meeting concerning the track and trace system. Designed to monitor production in cigarette, fertilizer, and cement factories, the system aims to detect counterfeit products and tackle smuggling. The prime minister attributed economic setbacks to inadequate planning and negligence in TTS implementation.
The inquiry committee’s report on negligence in implementing the TTS was submitted to the prime minister. He questioned why crucial clauses were overlooked in such a vital national plan.
The report held the former Project Director and Member Operations Inland Revenue accountable for negligence, with subsequent officers in similar roles also bearing responsibility. The former FBR Chairman was cited for inadequate administrative oversight.
The prime minister directed strict departmental action against those responsible and urged the FBR to revise the agreement with the licensee promptly. He emphasized incorporating provisions for third-party audits and alternative dispute resolution systems.
He commended the inquiry committee for its thorough report. Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahad Khan Cheema, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan, Chairman FBR Malik Amjad Zubair Towana, and senior officials attended the meeting, along with members of the inquiry committee.
