FBR non-filers: SIMs suspension to begin Monday

ISLAMABAD: In adherence to the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) is gearing up for a widespread crackdown on non-filers across Pakistan.

FBR officials have issued final notices to hundreds of thousands of non-filers, cautioning them about severe repercussions, including the suspension of electric, gas, and mobile SIMs, starting from January 15, 2024.

Sources have disclosed that 145 district tax officers have been granted ‘special powers’ nationwide to bring 1.5 million individuals into the tax net during this financial year.

The FBR is poised to take strict action against those who fail to fulfill their tax obligations.

Read more: SPI soars: Pakistanis face third week of rising weekly inflation

This initiative aligns with the IMF’s broader strategy to enhance tax compliance in Pakistan. Following the first review of Pakistan’s economic reform program supported by the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), the IMF’s Executive Board approved an immediate disbursement of SDR 528 million (around US$ 700 million), bringing the total disbursements under the SBA to US$ 1.9 billion.

Sources within the FBR reveal that strict measures are on the horizon for non-filers. In the first phase of enforcement, mobile SIM cards and phones of non-filers will be blocked, with the Income Tax General Order expected to be issued in January 2024.

The FBR has also devised a strategy to disconnect electricity and gas connections for those who remain non-compliant.

The FBR’s proactive measures underscore the government’s commitment to increasing tax compliance and ensuring that individuals fulfil their civic duty by filing their returns promptly.

Non-filers are urged to take immediate action to avoid the inconvenience of mobile and utility disconnections.