FTO reaffirms commitment to taxpayer rights, efficient dispute resolution

LAHORE: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Asif Mahmood Jah has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to upholding taxpayers’ rights by providing swift, transparent and impartial resolution of complaints relating to tax maladministration.

He was speaking at a seminar following his chairing of a high-level meeting of the FTO Advisory Committee, which aimed to strengthen engagement between taxpayers and the FTO Office, promote transparency and encourage the development of a more equitable and responsive tax system in Pakistan.

The meeting was followed by a public awareness seminar at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where Dr Jah outlined several initiatives launched by his office. These include the formation of advisory committees within major business chambers, countrywide outreach programmes, and the introduction of efficient digital platforms for lodging complaints. He further noted that the business community plays a vital role in the country’s economic development, and assured that the FTO Office remains fully committed to supporting them through accessible, cost-free grievance redressal mechanisms. He urged taxpayers to utilise the ombudsman’s services to ensure fairness and accountability within the tax system.

LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, in his remarks, praised the FTO for its proactive stance and for playing a critical role in protecting the interests of the business community. He emphasised the importance of ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and tax authorities, noting that platforms such as the FTO help bridge trust deficits and enable more effective resolution of genuine issues.

During the open discussion, stakeholders raised concerns over delays in tax refunds, repeated audits and communication gaps with tax authorities. The FTO team took note of these issues and assured participants of prompt follow-up and redress.