SIM Cards
During Wednesday’s session, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq emphasized that the government’s directive to block SIM cards remained in full force, clarifying that there was no restraining order in place regarding this measure.
The court proceedings were adjourned until June concerning a case challenging the government’s decision to block SIM services for non-tax filers.
The hearing revolved around a plea to lift the stay order against mobile network companies implementing the government’s directive.
Last week, the IHC had issued an injunction against the government’s move to block SIM cards of non-tax filers, prompted by an application from Zong opposing the Income Tax General Order No. 1 (ITGO-No1).
This order mandated all operators to deactivate SIMs of individuals who hadn’t filed their tax returns for 2023. In response, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) released a list of 506,671 non-filers, with their SIMs slated for immediate deactivation.
On Wednesday, Chief Justice Farooq proposed consolidating the main petition for a comprehensive resolution.
He stressed that the stay order was solely to safeguard the petitioners and didn’t halt the SIM blocking process.
Expressing an understanding of the government’s focus on economic reforms, Farooq hinted at the possibility that this measure was taken in that context. He assured a swift decision, emphasizing the court’s commitment to expediting the case.
The next hearing was scheduled for June, with the court allowing the concerned parties to mutually agree on a date. Meanwhile, Pakistan announced its collaboration with McKinsey and Company to digitize its tax authority fully.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb disclosed this development during a World Economic Forum (WEF) panel discussion in Riyadh, highlighting the challenges posed by a substantial portion of the country’s economy operating in the informal sector.
In conclusion, the IHC’s decision to adjourn the hearing underscores the complexity surrounding the issue of SIM blocking, while Pakistan’s efforts towards digitization signify a broader commitment to economic reform.
