Check if your name is on FBR’s SIM Block list for 2024
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The Pakistani tax authorities have intensified efforts against tax evaders, announcing the blocking of mobile phone SIMs belonging to 506,671 individuals.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has published a comprehensive list of half a million Pakistanis obligated to file Income Tax Returns for the Tax Year 2023, yet are not registered as active taxpayers.
Read more:Â PTA Declines FBR’s Request To Block SIMs
This measure is implemented under section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, following an Income Tax General Order (ITGO) issued by the FBR, demonstrating stringent actions against non-compliance with tax regulations.
FBR recently directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom operators to promptly enforce the ITGO and submit a compliance report by May 15, 2024. However, telecom companies conveyed their reservations to the Ministry of IT regarding FBR’s swift decision to block SIMs of non-filers, citing potential adverse effects on customers.
They underscored consumer protection, highlighting the necessity for prior notice before service suspension, which is unfeasible due to legal deficiencies in the ITGO. Telecom operators expressed concerns over the rushed implementation and its repercussions on consumers, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive approach that safeguards both regulatory compliance and consumer rights.
