FBR blocks Sim of late chief economist

ISLAMABAD: Despite timely intimation and response, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) continues to block mobile phone SIM in the name of a deceased person because he did not file a tax return.

The FBR sent out tax notices to Pakistan’s former chief economist Dr Pervez Tahir, who died last September 2023 for not filing his return and even blocked the SIM on his name. The family informed the FBR through all available channels that Dr Pervez Tahir died on 29th September 2023, his CNIC number being 6110118810639.

After his death, his wife informed the FBR about his death and requested to close his tax account. She has received many FBR notices to file the returns. She also informed at the helpline about his death. She even visited the Regional Taxpayer Office (RTO) many times to inform about the death of Dr Pervez Tahir and the closure of his tax account. She had submitted an application at the RTO office in December 2023 and emailed to the member concerned and chairman of FBR but in vain. On Tuesday, the FBR restricted the outgoing call facility on Tahir’s SIM, which is under her use. “I don’t know what to do. I have informed FBR that my husband has died. His death certificate is attached for reference,” she added. She also shared the screenshot of the application submitted to the RTO office in Islamabad and the email sent to the chairman of FBR.

This scribe also sent out messages to chairman FBR, Member Inland Revenue Operation and the spokesperson but got no reply till the filing of this report.