FIA gives clean chit to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has said there is no evidence that renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been involved in money-laundering, tax evasion or any other illegal activity.
The investigation agency confirmed that it has closed its investigation into a suspected money-laundering and tax evasion case against the 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.
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 Lahore, an inquiry was initiated in January this year against Rahat Ali Khan and 182 other frequent travellers departing from Lahore International Airport to work abroad. This investigation 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.
It is worth mentioning here that the FIA initiated a money laundering and tax evasion inquiry against the popular singer and others based on their travel record.
The FIA said: “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 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.”
Recently, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s former manager Salman Ahmed said that the singer had earned over eight billion Rupees over 12 years from both local and international concerts.
He had asked the Pakistani authorities to look into the matter but sources inside the relevant departments have said that Rahat 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 sources said that the FIA decided to issue a clean chit to Rahat in consultations with the FBR, and after checking the tax records of Rahat which were found to be updated and in compliance with the tax laws. The FBR previously issued several notices on taxation matters but his accountants have cleared all the dues.