ISLAMABAD – Asif Razaq Deenar, the main character of Pakistan’s largest tax evasion syndicate, was held by the Federal Investigation Agency at Karachi Airport.

Deenar was said to be the main character of a gang involved in fabricated invoices. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration staff at Jinnah International Airport in port city nabbed Deenar.

Deenar, a builder by profession who owns a steel scrap company in Balochistan, spearheaded several companies and committed tax fraud that cost billions of rupees to the national exchequer. Federal Investigation Agency reportedly took him shifted him to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Corporate Tax Office (CTO) officials.

Several cases were lodged against Deenar and his accomplice in FBR’s Inland Revenue. He secured bail in several cases but was trying to escape in another case.

Asif Razaq Deenar

As of Saturday, he was remanded in the Customs Special Court, and further proceedings are underway.

Tax evasion, and money laudnering are serious crimes in Pakistan under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, and the FBR is responsible for enforcing tax laws and ensuring compliance.

Those found guilty of tax evasion in Pakistan can face penalties, fines, and imprisonment. The severity of the punishment depends on the amount of tax evaded and the circumstances of case.