FBR orders to block over 500,000 SIMs of tax evaders

The Federal Board of Revenue has ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and telecom operators to block over 500,000 mobile phone SIMs of non-filers.

The move is directed to achieve government’s tax targets in order to meet growing expenditures.

As many as 506,671 mobile phone SIMs have been identified in the first phase.

The aforementioned number of people “are not appearing on active taxpayer list but are liable to file the Income Tax Retum for Tax Year 2023 under the provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001”.

The mobile SIMs of tax evaders “will remain blocked until restored by FBR or the Inland Revenue commissioner having jurisdiction of the person,” the FBR said in a statement issued on Monday.

Reports said the FBR identified two million non-filers, but mobile service providing companies requested the tax authority that they could not afford to block such a large number of SIMs.

It was decided that 500,000 mobile phone SIMs would be blocked.

“Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and all telecom operators are required to ensure the compliance of this ITGO [Income Tax General Order] with immediate effect. The compliance report in this regard is to be furnished to FBR on 15th of May, 2024,” it said.