ISLAMABAD: Over 11,000 mobile phone SIMs of non-tax filers have been deactivated across the country as part of efforts to encourage tax compliance and foster a tax-paying culture, confirmed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) spokesperson on Thursday.
The FBR spokesperson stated, “As of May 22, a total of 11,252 SIMs have been blocked under the Income Tax General Order.”
Highlighting the FBR’s commitment to promoting tax compliance and instilling a tax-paying ethos, the spokesperson reiterated the board’s dedication to these objectives.
Earlier, the FBR had reported the blocking of over 9,000 SIMs owned by non-filers across the country, following directives issued by the tax collection body.
The decision to block SIMs was communicated to telecommunication companies by the FBR during a meeting earlier in the week. This decision aimed to combat tax evasion and enhance revenue generation amidst challenging economic conditions.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) clarified its stance, stating that it lacked the authority to block SIMs.
Previous reports indicated that two telecom firms had blocked 3,500 SIMs owned by non-filers. The FBR spokesperson assured that SIMs belonging to tax filers would be unblocked promptly.
