The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a record Rs111 billion penalty on several solar import companies implicated in an extensive money laundering and over-invoicing operation.
According to the Director of Post-Clearance Audit (South), Shiraz Ahmed, these companies allegedly fabricated documentation to over-invoice solar imports by more than Rs120 billion, enabling them to launder funds overseas. Authorities estimate the fraudulent network funnelled nearly Rs140 billion through Pakistan’s banking channels using a web of shell companies and forged papers.
As part of the crackdown, customs officials have seized 327 containers of solar panels tied to this scam, with plans to auction the containers and set a revenue target of Rs1.5 billion. The investigation has so far identified 13 fake firms linked to the operation, with connections traced to cities including Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad. Officials report that the network moved substantial sums abroad under the guise of commercial imports.
This FBR action forms part of a broader clampdown on trade-based money laundering, aiming to safeguard the integrity of Pakistan’s import system.
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The scale of fraudulent solar imports comes as Pakistan rapidly emerges as a global clean energy leader. According to the Global Electricity Review 2025 (Ember, UK), Pakistan imported 17 gigawatts of solar panels last year—doubling the previous year’s volume and positioning the country among the world’s top solar buyers.
Unlike in many nations, this surge is not driven by a state-backed or utility-scale solar rollout. Instead, the bulk of demand stems from homeowners, small businesses, and commercial users installing rooftop panels to secure more affordable, reliable electricity amid frequent outages and soaring power costs.
The crackdown highlights both the rising importance of solar energy in Pakistan’s energy landscape and the need for strict enforcement to maintain transparency and curb illicit financial flows.
