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The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced its intention to block the SIM cards of 500,000 individuals who have neglected to file their tax returns.
According to recent reports, the FBR is set to issue a general tax order post Eid-ul-Fitr, mandating the blocking of SIM cards for individuals liable to pay taxes but have failed to fulfill this obligation. The SIMs are scheduled to be blocked by the end of April.
After consultations with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the FBR has compiled a list of nearly 400,000 individuals to undergo SIM blocking.
While the FBR has larger ambitions, this initial measure serves as a strong message, signaling the agency’s firm stance on enforcing tax compliance.
Initially, the FBR aimed to block up to 2 million SIM cards. However, telecom companies opposed the proposal, citing logistical challenges in executing such a massive undertaking.
Individuals likely to be affected by this measure had previously received notices for their failure to file tax returns, yet remained non-compliant.
Moreover, in addition to blocking SIM cards, the FBR possesses the authority to disconnect gas and electricity connections as part of its enforcement powers.
