Telecom operators have blocked 9,000 non-filers mobile SIMs under FBR directives.
An FBR spokesperson stated on Wednesday that telecom operators have accelerated the process of blocking SIMs. The FBR is providing new data to telecom companies daily for this purpose.
The spokesperson mentioned that, so far, the FBR has shared data of 30,000 individuals whose SIMs are to be blocked. However, they acknowledged that it will take time to block the SIMs of all 506,671 persons who are not on the active taxpayer list but are required to file the Income Tax Return for the Tax Year 2023.
Initially, telecom operators hesitated to block SIMs, citing legal reasons. However, they later agreed to manually block SIMs in small batches.
In late April, FBR issued an Income Tax General Order (ITGO) to deactivate mobile phone SIMs for over 0.5 million individuals not on the active taxpayer list. Telecom companies were instructed to submit a compliance report by May 15.
