Islamabad: The government has decided to give the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) access to the citizens’ family tree database, according to a news report. The purpose is to help the board clamp down on benami properties. This data is maintained by the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).
Earlier, parliament passed a law against benami properties in February 2017. The law allows the authorities concerned to confiscate these landholdings. However, the government has not finished its work on making the law operational.
Under the law, anyone found guilty of holding benami assets will also face rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years, and a fine equal to 25% of the fair market value of the assets.
FBR’s spokesman Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar said that the directives for making the ruling functional will be approved next week, as the Finance Minister has taken notice of the delay.
