Non-Filers can get sims unblocked; Details below

The Federal Board of Revenue’s concerned Commissioner of Inland Revenue, who has authority over individuals who fail to file income tax returns, will unlock the mobile SIMs that were blocked.

There have been cases where non-filers have submitted returns following SIM blockage. They now wish to have their SIMs back. A person whose SIM has been blocked might be unblocked in two methods.

The simplest way is to let FBR know that your tax return has been filed by calling their helpline; if verified, the barred SIM will be unlocked in 48 hours.

The alternative is to get in touch with the concerned Regional Tax Office Commissioner of Inland Revenue, who has authority over the non-filer of income tax returns.

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To have their SIM back on their phone, the non-filer needs to visit the relevant tax office where they are registered and let them know that their return needs to be filed.

The FBR states that until the mobile SIMs of the people are unblocked by either the FBR or the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, who has jurisdiction over them, the SIMs will remain blocked.

The Board or the Commissioner having jurisdiction over the person named in the income tax general order may, pursuant to section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, order the restoration of mobile phones, mobile phone SIMS, and connections to gas and electricity if he is satisfied that, either (a) the return has been filed or (b) the person was not required to file a return under the provisions of the Ordinance.