Telecom operators, in conjunction with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), have agreed to implement a phased manual process for blocking SIMs until full automation of the system is achieved.
Through a series of extensive meetings with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom operators nationwide, the FBR has sought to enforce Income Tax General Order No. 1, issued under Section 114 B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.
The primary focus of these meetings has been to address the enforcement of measures aimed at deactivating mobile phone SIMs belonging to non-filers for the tax year 2023. Multiple discussions have been held to refine the process and ensure alignment with tax regulations.
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Following deliberations, telecom operators have agreed to commence the manual blocking process in small, manageable batches until their systems are fully equipped for automation. To kick off this initiative, the first batch comprising 5,000 non-filers has been forwarded to telecom operators today for immediate action. Subsequent batches will be sent on a daily basis.
Additionally, telecom operators have started sending informational messages to non-filers regarding the impending SIM blockage.
This collaborative effort underscores the dedication of both the FBR and telecom operators to enforce tax regulations and promote compliance among taxpayers. It marks a significant stride toward bolstering tax collection and regulatory enforcement mechanisms nationwide.
