Pakistan investigates elites for tax evasion amid revenue shortfall, using digital data to verify income.

Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue is investigating high-profile individuals, including a Lahore fintech executive and social media influencers, for suspected tax evasion after identifying discrepancies between their lavish lifestyles and reported incomes. The FBR’s Lifestyle Monitoring Cell flagged cases where individuals own expensive assets—such as 30 luxury vehicles valued at Rs2.74 billion—while declaring minimal or zero income, prompting revised filings showing sudden spikes in earnings. Travel influencers with frequent international trips and content creators with luxury purchases were also scrutinized. The crackdown follows a Rs274 billion revenue shortfall and aims to meet a Rs14.13 trillion annual tax target using digital footprints and financial data to verify compliance.