Telecom companies have blocked 230,000 SIMs of non-filers so far, FBR says

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) spokesperson on Wednesday shared details of action against non-filers across Pakistan.

FBR spokesperson told a private TV news channel that the telecom companies had blocked 230,000 Subscriber Identity Module (SIMs) of non-filers so far on the body’s recommendation.

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He said 76,636 SIMs out of 230,000 were unblocked after submission of tax returns.

He said the FBR is providing data of 5,000 individuals daily to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for SIMs blockage.

Replying to a question, he said SIMs are blocked before investigation.

On June 25, the FBR cleared the air about filers and non-filers, the hottest topic, especially after the presentation of budget 2024-25.

FBR spokesperson further said among the population of 250 million, there are only 2.5 million non-filers.

He said that neither CNIC holder students nor household women should not worry about their SIMs being blocked. FBR spokesperson said, non-filers are those who are not filing their tax returns despite taxable income.

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He said that FBR would forward a list to the FIA to stop non-filers from flying abroad.

The federal government has proposed heavy taxes and other steps in the budget 2024-25 for non-filers. – INP