The Federal Board of Revenue has so far blocked over 11,000 mobile phone SIMs of non-tax filers, according to an official. FBR spokesperson Bakhtiar Mohammad told media that “11,252 SIMs had been blocked till May 22 under Income Tax General Order. He added that the tax-collecting body was “committed to promoting tax compliance and tax culture”. Earlier, it was reported widely by the media that the Islamabad High Court had issued a stay order on the government’s decision to block SIMs of those who failed to file tax returns in 2023. However, the IHC later clarified that the stay order was not on blocking SIMs but solely on taking action against the petitioner, private telecom operator Zong.
