FTO establishes diplomatic grievances redressal cell

Islamabad: On the directions of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, a specialised Diplomatic Grievances Redressal Cell has been established to assist foreign embassies in Pakistan in resolving tax-related issues faced by their staff and citizens with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). To lead this initiative, Almas Ali Jovindah has been appointed as the Head of the Diplomatic Grievances Redressal Cell, says a press release.

While taxation is often viewed as a purely domestic affair, the reality of global presence and diplomatic privileges necessitates a more nuanced approach to the treatment of foreign entities and individuals within a host country’s fiscal system. The creation of this redressal cell is, therefore, not merely an administrative measure but a strategic response to an increasingly interconnected world where economic diplomacy plays a crucial role in fostering international relations.

To operationalize the aforementioned Redressal Cell and ensure widespread awareness, a specialized training session has been scheduled in April 11 in Islamabad at the FTO Headquarters, where foreign diplomats stationed in Islamabad will be briefed on the role of Federal Tax Ombudsman and methods to seek timely intervention when their citizens encounter tax related difficulties. Such issues are mostly related to customs and sales tax.

Federal Tax Ombudsman has already played crucial role in some important cases to protect tax rights of foreign stakeholders and has demonstrated that Pakistan’s regulatory landscape is one in which justice is accessible, grievances are heard, and solutions are delivered, irrespective of nationality.