ISLAMABAD: In a move to enhance tax compliance, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) decided on Tuesday to block the SIM cards of over 0.5 million people involved in tax evasion.
“The FBR has taken decisive action by issuing an order to disable mobile phone SIMs associated with 506,671 individuals … who are not appearing on the active taxpayer list but are obligated to file income tax returns,” the FBR said in a statement.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and all telecom operators have been instructed to enforce the directives with immediate effect, the statement said, adding that telecom operators are mandated to furnish a compliance report to the FBR by May 15 to provide transparency and accountability in the enforcement process.
The FBR said that the measures are aimed at encouraging individuals to fulfill their tax obligations and contribute to the country’s economic development.
“Through enforcement measures and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, the FBR aims to strengthen the tax base and promote a fair and equitable tax system for the benefit of the nation,” according to the FBR statement.
