Over-invoicing irregularities prompt govt crackdown

April 15, 2026 (MLN):  Over-invoicing practices have come under renewed scrutiny as the government moves to take strict legal action against those involved in the illegal activity.

Authorities have been directed to crack down on offenders and develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent such practices in the future.

Concerns were raised that between 2017 and 2022, over-invoicing continued unchecked due to negligence by relevant institutions, prompting calls for accountability and swift departmental action against those responsible, APP reported

The directives were issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while chairing a high-level review meeting on the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The meeting reviewed findings from a committee led by Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, whose report was appreciated by the prime minister.

Attendees included federal ministers Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, and Attaullah Tarar, along with Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.

During the session, it was emphasized that public funds are a national trust and must be safeguarded with full accountability.

The prime minister also instructed that the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) be strengthened by incorporating representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau.

Officials briefed the meeting on the development of a Centralized Price Verification Portal by the FBR, which is expected to be integrated with banks by the end of June.

The meeting was further informed that the FBR’s Post Clearance Audit Wing had first identified the over-invoicing scheme in October 2022.

So far, 13 FIRs have been registered against individuals involved, and legal proceedings are currently underway.

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