The government has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom companies to block the mobile phone SIMs of more than 500,000 non-filers as part of a robust action against tax evasion.
This move comes amid the country's financial crisis. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made public the names of these non-filers, stressing that despite having taxable income, they have not filed income tax returns.
The FBR emphasized its commitment to tax compliance and stated that the SIMs of non-filers could be restored upon filing their tax returns for the year 2023. Additionally, the FBR has been granted powers to disconnect utility connections and block SIMs under Section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Last year, the FBR established district tax offices across the country to bring new taxpayers into the tax net.
Discussions with the PTA have also been held to identify SIMs of under-filers, with plans to block them by April 2024. While the FBR identified two million potential tax dodgers, only 0.5 million SIMs will be blocked initially due to concerns raised by telecom companies.
This move comes amid the country's financial crisis. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made public the names of these non-filers, stressing that despite having taxable income, they have not filed income tax returns.
The FBR emphasized its commitment to tax compliance and stated that the SIMs of non-filers could be restored upon filing their tax returns for the year 2023. Additionally, the FBR has been granted powers to disconnect utility connections and block SIMs under Section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Last year, the FBR established district tax offices across the country to bring new taxpayers into the tax net.
Discussions with the PTA have also been held to identify SIMs of under-filers, with plans to block them by April 2024. While the FBR identified two million potential tax dodgers, only 0.5 million SIMs will be blocked initially due to concerns raised by telecom companies.