ISLAMABAD – In an era defined by digital footprints, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has turned the lens on individuals flaunting extravagant lifestyles on social media while allegedly concealing their true wealth from the state.
The FBR’s Lifestyle Monitoring Cell has identified more than twenty cases, revealing a jarring disconnect between curated online personas enjoying vast wealth—including crores in assets, luxury vehicles, and frequent international travel—and the minimal income declared in their tax returns.
These findings highlight a profound disparity, painting a picture of audacity against a backdrop of national economic challenges. The investigation has brought forward several egregious examples:
One of the most striking cases involves an individual from South Punjab who owns a fleet of 19 luxury and modern vehicles, valued at a staggering 624.4 million rupees. In stark contrast, his 2020 tax filings declared only one car worth 1 million rupees. This pattern of concealment continued, culminating in his 2024 return, where he brazenly listed “N/A” (Not Applicable) in the vehicle ownership column.
Another case profiles a digital content creator and travel vlogger. From 2020 to 2025, his social media documented lavish trips across the globe, including Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, France, and even attendance at the exclusive Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium. However, an examination of his returns revealed a declared income of just 490,800 rupees in a year he vacationed in the Seychelles. In 2024, despite extensive tours of Europe and the Middle East, his declared income was a mere 816,800 rupees—a figure that points to significant income concealment.
In a third instance, the FBR cell uncovered 180.5 million rupees in hidden assets linked to an individual from a political family in South Punjab. These assets included four high-value vehicles—a Lexus LX 570, a BMW i7 electric sedan, and a Suzuki Hayabusa superbike—none of which were declared in his tax returns or those of his father.
The FBR has confirmed that these intelligence reports have been disseminated to the relevant Regional Taxpayer Offices across the country, and legal proceedings to recover the unpaid taxes are already underway.
When contacted, the official in charge of the FBR’s Lifestyle Monitoring Cell confirmed the ongoing investigations but stated that, under income tax laws, they could not disclose the identities of the individuals involved. The probe signals a new front in tax compliance, where the very posts meant for validation are now triggers for accountability.
