FBR team visits OMC office in Lahore

ISLAMABAD: A team of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials visited the office of an oil marketing company (OMC) in Lahore the other day.

The spokesperson of GO, when contacted, said that on September 2, 2024, a team from the FBR visited the company’s office in Gulberg, Lahore, as part of the information gathering exercise, adding the team requested specific data, which was promptly provided by the company’s staff.

He rejected reports that it was a raid by the FBR’s intelligence team and that they arrested GO’s top man, Khalid Riaz, who was freed on the personal guarantee of an important position-holder in the Punjab Assembly.

The OMC spokesperson said the FBR officials collected the required information and left the premises without questioning or detaining any member of the company staff, adding the FBR acknowledged the company’s cooperation.

OMC’s General Manager (Corporate & Legal Affair) Shaukat Ghumman said baseless allegations are believed to be propagated by parties dissatisfied with recent developments in the industry, particularly the company’s successful recovery of its market share. He said the company believes that recent unfounded reports about a so-called raid are being spread by elements who want to discourage business growth and foreign investment in the country. The company remains a law-abiding entity, annually contributing more than Rs100 billion in duties, levies, and taxes to the national exchequer, the GM said, adding, “We reaffirm our commitment to transparency, adherence to all laws and regulations of Pakistan, and our dedication to contributing to the prosperity of the nation.”