A Pakistani National Assembly (NA) panel has rejected a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to access citizens’ bank account information. The FBR sought the data to identify and pursue individuals suspected of tax evasion. Committee members expressed concerns over potential privacy violations and the lack of sufficient legal safeguards. A senior FBR official controversially stated that concealing taxable income is a “harsher crime than murder,” prompting criticism. The rejection highlights ongoing tensions between the government’s efforts to broaden the tax base and concerns about civil liberties. The FBR maintains that access to financial records is crucial for revenue collection and curbing illicit financial flows. The committee has requested further clarification and legal justification before reconsidering the request, emphasizing the need to protect citizens’ financial privacy.