ISLAMABAD, Oct 23: Federal Tax Ombudsman Justice Saleem Akhtar has directed the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to initiate an enquiry against those responsible of forgery and tempering with official records for committing frauds.

The Ombudsman observed that there was noticeable mal-administration on the part of Customs authorities which required serious investigation to unearth the mal-practice and fraudulent activities of the Customs department, said an official announcement issued on Wednesday.

The FTO recommended to CBR to institute a proper investigation/enquiry into the case of the complainant and also identify other cases of similar nature and take punitive action.

The compliance report should be submitted within 60 days of this order, said the Ombudsman.

The complainant, Iftikhar Ahmed Malik, Lahore, has alleged mal-administration on the part of the Appraisement Wing of Customs House, Karachi and the Motor Registration Authority (Excise and Taxation Department of Lahore) on the ground that while the staff of directorate of intelligence and investigation, Lahore was threatening to seize his used car, Toyota Corona legally bought by him and the latter was refusing to issue registration book of the said vehicle.

The FTO further observed that till the investigation was completed, the complainant be allowed to keep possession of the car on condition that he would not sell, transfer and should furnish a security or bank guarantee of Rs0.5m to the satisfaction of the collector of Customs Karachi.