ISLAMABAD: According to sources familiar with the matter, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and telecom companies have not reached an agreement on the nationwide blocking of mobile SIMs belonging to identified non-filers.

The Cellular Mobile Companies have reportedly declined to block the SIMs of 506,000 identified non-compliant taxpayers due to technical and operational challenges.

It has been reported that the Telecom companies have cited legal complexities in implementing the FBR’s directives. Discussions are ongoing between mobile operators and authorities, with another round of talks expected soon.

However, the Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) have not committed to implementing the FBR’s directives.

Earlier, the CMOs deemed the FBR’s move to block SIMs of non-filers as a violation of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act. They have written to the Ministry of Information Technology and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), expressing concerns and legal limitations regarding the blocking of 500,000 SIMs of non-filers.

The telecom companies stress their obligation to provide uninterrupted services to consumers under the Telecom Act and argue that the sudden blocking of mobile SIMs contradicts legal provisions, potentially leading to legal repercussions from affected customers.

They highlight the lack of thorough review of constitutional and legal aspects in the decision-making process, which could infringe upon taxpayers’ rights and disrupt the telecom industry.

The letter advocates for compliance with existing legal requirements before terminating SIMs and calls for transparency in enforcing tax laws.

Furthermore, it urges for a comprehensive media campaign to inform the public about the ban on non-filers, emphasizing the importance of informed public discourse.

The telecom industry underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures and ensuring transparency in enforcing tax laws, urging the FBR to reconsider the implementation of the Income Tax General Order (ITGO) in light of legal complexities and consumer rights.