The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched an intensive campaign against individuals who have not filed their tax returns, issuing notices to over 700,000 such individuals.
This initiative, guided by recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aims to encourage adherence to tax regulations.
Based on thorough reviews of banking records and electricity bills, the FBR has identified non-filers and is urging them to promptly fulfill their tax obligations. In a strict measure, non-compliant individuals may face the possibility of their mobile phone SIMs being blocked following the issuance of notices. The next phase of the FBR’s strategy involves the disconnection of electricity connections for those who default on taxes.
The primary goal of the FBR is to broaden the tax base by adding more than 1 million new taxpayers in the current fiscal year. This initiative underscores the FBR’s dedication to establishing a wider and more comprehensive tax compliance framework.
Government Assigns Rs19.35 Billion For Power Sector Projects
Meanwhile, in the current fiscal year 2023-24, the government has disbursed Rs19.35 billion for various power sector projects within the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) and Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO). The allocation is part of the annual Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), where a total of Rs55.29 billion is earmarked for NTDC/PEPCO initiatives in the fiscal year.
The breakdown of the released funds indicates a local component of Rs10.37 billion, complemented by a foreign aid component of Rs8.97 billion. Additionally, Rs2.25 billion has been expended on diverse water-related projects during this period.
The ongoing schemes benefiting from this allocation encompass significant projects, including the installation of a 2×600 MW coal-fired power project in GENCO-1 Jamshoro, interconnection of the isolated Makran Network, and the establishment of substations in Hairpur and Swabi.
Noteworthy allocations include Rs13.80 billion for the evacuation of power from Suki Kinari, Kohala, Mahal HPPs, Rs16.10 billion for the 500 kV HVDC Transmission System between Tajikistan and Pakistan (CASA-1000), and Rs5.67 billion for the evacuation of power from 2160 MW Dasu stage-1.
