Strengthening Collaborative Efforts in Financial Intelligence Highlights from the FBR-FMU Joint Workshop on Tax Evasion
During the closing ceremony of the joint workshop conducted by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), Chairman FBR Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation between the two organizations. This partnership, he stressed, is crucial for developing and effectively utilizing high-quality financial intelligence in the battle against tax evasion. The workshop, held at the FBR headquarters on January 27-28, 2024, was part of the FCDO’s UPSCALE Programme.
Chairman Tiwana expressed his appreciation to the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue and the FMU for their successful organization of the workshop. He also expressed a keen interest in further strengthening this alliance to collectively tackle the issue of illicit finance. In addition to acknowledging the local efforts, Mr. Tiwana extended his gratitude to Mr. Lewis Evans from the British High Commission for his support in organizing this significant event.
Ms. Lubna Farooq, the Director General of FMU, also extended her thanks to both FBR and FCDO. She highlighted the critical need for ongoing coordination between FBR and FMU. According to her, such collaborative efforts are essential for augmenting the knowledge base, fostering mutual understanding, and effectively countering tax fraud and evasion. She asserted that this cooperative approach would not only increase the efficiency of investigations but also contribute to the development of a stronger and more interconnected framework to combat financial crimes.
The workshop saw participation from FMU analysts and investigating officers from the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue. The focus of the workshop was on identifying and comprehending risk areas related to financial intelligence in the context of tax crimes, thereby equipping the participants with enhanced skills and knowledge for their future investigations.
