Individuals who complied by filing their tax returns had their SIMs reactivated after verification.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has restored mobile phone service to over 7,000 individuals who previously failed to file their income taxes. This follows a recent campaign targeting non-filers by blocking their SIM cards.
According to an FBR spokesperson, 7,167 tax returns were received for the 2023 financial year after the SIM blockade began. This represents a significant increase compared to the initial batches, with only 508 and 1,514 returns filed previously.
The FBR had partnered with three major telecom companies (Telenor, Ufone, and Jazz) to gradually block SIM cards associated with non-filers. The process involved sharing ID card data in batches of 5,000 starting from May 14th.
Individuals who complied by filing their tax returns had their SIMs reactivated after verification. The FBR emphasized their commitment to enforcing tax compliance and announced the formation of an 18-member Joint Working Group (JWG) with the telecom operators. This group will oversee the continued blocking of non-filers’ SIM cards.
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The spokesperson reiterated the government’s resolve to implement the SIM blocking initiative for tax delinquents. They also mentioned physical inspections being conducted at telecom companies to ensure proper compliance and potential penalties for non-cooperation.
This story highlights the FBR’s efforts to increase tax collection through stricter enforcement measures. The success in prompting tax filings through SIM blockage suggests this strategy might be effective in bringing more individuals into the tax net.
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