PTA rejects proposal to block mobile SIM of tax return filers

(Islamabad Jobs Pakistan Newspaper Latest 5 May 2024)

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has opposed the Federal Board of Revenue's proposal to block the mobile SIM of non-filers of tax returns by blocking mobile phone SIMs. The PTA has written to the FBR saying that it is not legally bound to follow the order to block the zones and that the SIM blocking process is not in line with their framework.

In its reply letter to the FBR, the PTA clarified that the practice of blocking SIMs of non-filers is not compatible with its system as a large number of women and children use SIMs in the names of men. According to PTA, only 27 percent of women in Pakistan take out SIMs in their own name and the remaining women and children use SIMs issued in the name of male family members.

Where did the letter go that the Income Tax Ordinance 2021 does not apply to PTA and blocking SIMs will harm the process of bringing the country on digital lines.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that blocking SIMs in large numbers would harm the telecom economy and could also hurt foreign investment in the telecom sector. Opposing the proposal of FBR said but Banking transactions will be problematic for users using e-commerce mobile accounts, so legal options other than SIM blocking should be considered.

It should be remembered that on May 1, Pakistan News spoke to legal experts and civil rights organizations and said that FBR's order is illegal. It is not possible without legislation and without legislation such a move would be illegal and unconstitutional.