Over 105,000 SIM cards of non-filers blocked: FBR

Islamabad: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has blocked 105,000 SIM cards of taxpayers to comply with tax demands,
According to details, FBR has confirmed that 105,000 non-filter SIM cards have been blocked, while FBR provides information to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for 5,000 non-filters every day.
The spokesperson said that non-filers can get a SIM card after filing their income tax.
“To date, 18,902 SIM cards have been processed after individuals have paid tax and have been added to the list of active taxpayers,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier, the FBR spokesperson rejected the report of tax sleuths blocking SIM cards and said there is truth in the report of tax sleuths blocking SIM cards as there is no system in place for it.
It is worth mentioning here that the FBR has issued general income tax orders to block more than 506,671 SIM cards identifying taxpayers across the country.
According to details, FBR has identified more than 506,671 persons who are eligible to file income tax returns but are not included in FBR’s list of active taxpayers.
“Despite these rights, these people are not fulfilling their tax obligations,” said an FBR spokesperson.
The FBR has taken strict action against defaulting taxpayers and warned of consequences such as blocking SIM cards whenever individuals fail to file tax returns.