The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) decided on Wednesday to give the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) access to data on bank and tax defaulters.
A meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmed during which scrutiny mechanism for the potential candidates of the general elections and the course of action to be taken to prevent bank and tax defaulters from standing in the upcoming elections was discussed.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of FBR, State of Bank of Pakistan and NADRA.
SBP and FBR officials said that transparent and fair election is a common goal and that both institutions will fully cooperation with the Election Commission.
FBR officials said a complete record of bank and tax defaulter was available, adding that it would take 10 days to verify the candidature documents and the candidates’ data for the upcoming elections. The officials further said they would cooperate with the ECP in order to ensure free and fair polls.
During the meeting, the possibility of examining the candidates’ telephone and mobile phone records was also discussed.
According to an announcement following the meeting, it was also decided in the meeting national tax numbers of all candidates will be verified from the FBR. While, the State Bank will share the credit history of all the candidates, the statement added.
The team specifically explained that in the scrutiny process during forthcoming elections, FBR can help Election Commission on the NTNs provided by candidates in their nominations papers can be verified quickly.
The Contents of the Statement of Assets & Liabilities filed by candidates along with their nomination papers shall be verified within ten days time after the receipt of same from Election Commission.
Particulars of candidates who are born on tax roll but they are not filing their tax returns shall be shared with Election Commission.
Information of all potential tax payers who are not filing their returns or not borne on tax roll shall be shared with Election Commission.
The State Bank will also share information available at Electronic Credit Information Bureau, it added.