In the doldrums, FBR’s decision to block non-filers’ SIMs

The telecom operators have written to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Ministry of Information Technology to express their concerns and legal limitations with respect to the blocking of 500,000 SIM cards belonging to non-filers.

The letter highlights that, as required by the Telecom Act, telecom providers must offer customers uninterrupted services. It emphasizes that abruptly disabling mobile SIMs is against the law and could lead to impacted customers suing.

They contend that the decision undermines the rights of taxpayers and the telecom sector since it does not provide a thorough analysis of constitutional and legal issues.

The letter urges transparency in the application of tax legislation and pushes for adherence to current legal standards prior to the termination of SIMs.

Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of educated public debate and urges for a mass media effort to increase knowledge of the prohibition on non-filers.

The telecom sector has urged the FBR to reevaluate the implementation of the Income Tax General Order (ITGO) in light of legal difficulties and consumer rights, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to legal procedures in the enforcement of tax laws.

The PTA argued against the blocking of nearly 500,000 tax non-filers’ SIM cards last week.

PTA said that barring these SIMs would not be consistent with their system in a letter to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

PTA observed that many women use cellphone SIM cards that are linked to men’s names. They declared that there are no limitations on the new SIMs that are issued to non-filers.

The process for returning the SIM cards of people who are subject to taxes was also questioned by the telecommunications authorities.

The authorities made it clear that they are not required by law to block SIM cards, and that doing so would be detrimental to the telecom industry and digitalization.