Over 3,600 non filers’ SIMs blocked so far: FBR

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) blocked over 3,600 SIMs of non-filers across Pakistan so far, it emerged on Wednesday.

Sources privy to the development said that FBR is sharing details of 50,000 non-filers to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) daily as FBR has identified 56,671 individuals who have not filed their tax returns.

Non-filers’ SIMs will be blocked gradually in small groups and the blocking is being done under Income Tax General Rules 114B to encourage tax compliance and widen the tax net.

Moreover, the joint working group has expressed concern over the blocking of mobile SIMs of non-filers, sources added.

READ MORE: FBR to start blocking mobile SIMs of tax non-filers from today

Earlier, the Telecom Companies had refused to block the SIM cards of 506,000 identified non-filers due to technical and operational obstacles.

“In a statement, Telecom companies stated that there are legal complexities in implementing FBR’s directives,” the private media channel said quoting sources.

FBR said over half a million SIM cards that are being used by persons who haven’t filed their taxes are being blocked.