FBR freezes singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's bank accounts

LAHORE: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday decided to freeze the bank accounts of renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan due to non-payment of taxes.

The singer was reportedlty liable to pay income tax of Rs 33 Lakthousandusands in 2015, after the FBR took action against concealed bank transactions. However, Rahat was hesitant to contact the tax authorities or file his tax returns.

Subsequently, the FBR seized all bank accounts and banking transactions of the singer and recovered accruals worth Rs105,000 while efforts are being made to recover the remaining amount.

It may be recalled that in 2011 Rateh Fateh was detained at the New Delhi airport by revenue intelligence officers after allegedly carrying $124,000 in undeclared foreign currency which was confiscated after immigration checks.

This is not the first time the singer has a brushed with the tax authorities and has issued tax notices, as he is known to earn millions from his musical performances in countries across the world.