Telcom companies push back to block SIMs of tax evaders amid crackdown

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ISLAMABAD – The crackdown against tax evaders has been stalled as Telcom companies delayed blocking SIM Cards of tax half a million tax evaders.

FBR, the country’s apex tax collection authority, issued orders to block SIM cards but the massive process met with technical difficulties. In this regard, the government is planning to take legal action against telecom operator or entity obstructing the process of disabling mobile phone SIMs.

This decision was made during a visit by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters, where the FBR briefed him about the plan to disable the SIMs of over half a million non-filers.

The government lamented lack of cooperation from PTA due to pressure from telecom operators while FBR is developing a mechanism to unblock the SIMs of those individuals who file their returns.

The government is looking for a legal course for the early recovery of Rs2.7 trillion in disputed tax revenue, focusing on cases where it has a strong legal basis.