The Federal Board of Revenue has decided to summon all telecom operators to its headquarters and instruct them to block the mobile SIMs of 506,671 individuals who have not filed their tax returns by May 15, 2024, Business Recorder reported while quoting sources.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s refusal has no relevance as it is a regulatory authority and the SIMSs would be blocked by the cellular companies, they said and added that the FBR member inland revenue (operations) would convene a meeting with telecom operators to convey the directive of blocking the SIM cards within the given deadline.

Last month, the FBR ordered the PTA and telecom operators to block 506,671 mobile phone SIMs of non-filers.

The Income Tax General Order was issued to disable the mobile phone SIMs in respect of persons “who are not appearing on active taxpayer list but are liable to file the Income Tax Retum for Tax Year 2023 under the provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001”.

Non-filers of income tax returns can check if their names are included in the list of 506,671 individuals specified in Income Tax General Order No 01 of 2024, which is available on the FBR’s website.

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The mobile SIM cards of these individuals will remain blocked until restored by the FBR or the Commissioner Inland Revenue with jurisdiction over the person.

The PTA and all telecom operators have been instructed to ensure immediate compliance with this order.

A compliance report regarding this matter must be submitted to the FBR by May 15, without fail, as stated by the FBR.