Achi news desk-
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is yet to take a decision on its earlier proposal to block SIMs (subscriber identification modules) of non-tax filers.
According to sources, the mobile phone companies have refused to block more than 500,000 SIMs at the same time for fear of huge losses. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in a letter to the FBR expressed concern and opposed the strict measure.
The chairman of the FBR and other top officials have been discussing with the heads of the mobile companies to resolve the issue. Sources say the FBR has failed to convince the telecom companies to block the SIMs of tax defaulters and non-filers.
Read: FBR set to block SIMs of over 500,000 non-filers
The PTA urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to consider other measures. He said that such a large number of SIMs could not be blocked as it would involve legal issues. In many cases, he said, SIMs had been issued in the name of women and children and were being used by men.
Blocking SIMs, he said, would have a negative impact on digital transformation and foreign investment.
What does FBR offer?
The FBR, in an attempt to tighten the screw on non-filers, decided to block the mobile SIMs of 506,000 non-filers in the first phase. A General Income Tax Order was issued to realize the initiative.
The FBR said it is identifying those people whose income tax returns have not been filed.
“Though they are able to pay income tax, they do not file returns and are therefore not included in the FBR Active Taxpayers List,” he said.
According to the FBR, the mobile phone connections of those who had not filed income tax returns could be closed at any time.
Sources said the list of 500,000 individuals being targeted by the authorities represents only the first phase and has been finalized after detailed discussions involving the FBR, the PTA and the operators. mobile phones.
The FBR is said to have actually identified two million tax evaders, but the mobile phone companies asked that they could not block such a huge number of SIMs at the same time.
