The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has cleared the star singer of the country of charges of tax evasion and money laundering confirming the Qawwali maestro has never been involved in money-laundering, tax evasion or any other financial malpractices.
In the probe held recently, the premier investigation agency confirmed that it has closed its investigation into a suspected money-laundering and tax evasion case into the hit singer due to lack of evidence of any wrongdoing.
Additional Director of FIA’s Lahore Zone confirmed that the competent authority has authorized the closure of the investigation against Rahat Ali Khan and others, in accordance with the recommendations put forth by the field inquiry unit which recommended the closure of the investigation against Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. There is no evidence found in the available records that implicates Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in any illegal currency smuggling activities, said the FIA senior officer.
According to details provided by the FIA, an inquiry was initiated in January this year against Rahat Ali Khan and other frequent travellers departing from Lahore International Airport to work abroad. This probe was prompted by data concerning frequent travellers, with a specific focus on identifying any individuals involved in currency smuggling or money laundering, said the report.
The probe was undertaken on the basis of their travel record.
“The data of 182 travellers was provided by the Deputy Director of Immigration at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. Consequently, the proceedings were initiated in order to detect any frequent traveller found in smuggling off currency or money laundering. The name of Mr Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was also included in the frequent list of travellers. However, on the basis of available records nothing incriminating has been found against Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to establish that he is involved in the illegal business of currency smuggling,” said the FIA official.
Recently, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s former manager Salman Ahmed had accused the singer had earned over Rs8 billion over the past 12 years from both local and international concerts. He had asked the Pakistani authorities to look into the matter. However, it turned out that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has paid his taxes on time and remains updated and in compliance with the laws.
Sources in the FIA and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have said that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has paid taxes on all his local and international incomes. The FIA has decided to issue a clean chit to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in consultations with the FBR, and after checking the tax records of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan which were found to be up-to-date and in compliance with the tax laws.
The FBR previously issued several notices to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in tax matters.
