ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has opted to disable the SIM cards of 0.5 million individuals engaged in tax evasion, following the endorsement of the FBR chairman, as reported by Metro Morning.
Insiders disclose that the FBR has pinpointed two million tax evaders. However, mobile companies have urged against blocking such a substantial number of SIMs, leading to the resolution to initially deactivate the SIMs of 500,000 tax evaders. The FBR chairman has sanctioned the resolution and dispatched directives to pertinent officials.
It’s noted that the FBR also holds the authority to disconnect electricity connections, in addition to blocking SIM cards of non-filers. Special authorization has been conferred upon 145 district tax officers nationwide in this regard. Measures will be taken under Section 114-B against non-filers, with corresponding action against tax evaders.
As per FBR sources, 400,000 under-filers have been identified post consultation with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). These individuals have neglected to file their returns despite possessing taxable income. The FBR intends to soon release an Income Tax General Order (IGTO) in this context.
They further indicated that despite prior notices sent by the FBR to such individuals, returns still remained unfiled. Identification of 100,000 non-filers has been achieved through the FBR’s broadening tax base initiative, with their SIM cards also slated for deactivation. Following thorough discussions among the FBR, PTA, and telecom operators, the resolution to block SIM cards has been solidified.
