KARACHI: The Federal Government is considering an ordinance to expedite the resolution of a backlog of 27,000 tax cases lying pending with various appellate courts.
According to media reports, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has communicated to the Law Ministry regarding the initiation of an ordinance by the Commissioners Appeals to expedite the resolution of the backlog of tax cases.
As per the proposed plan, 50 seats of Commissioner Appeals FBR will be eliminated to streamline the resolution process of these cases. Under the ordinance, taxpayers will have the opportunity to directly file tax cases with the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue.
The objective behind the proposed ordinance is not only to save time but also to reduce the number of pending cases, obligating the tribunals to adhere to a fixed timeframe for case resolution, sources added.
It has been noted that previous efforts by alternative committees failed to significantly decrease the number of pending tax cases, which currently stand at a staggering 27,000 in tribunals and appellate courts. The ordinance is expected to be promulgated following the approval of the President of Pakistan, offering a ray of hope for a more expedited and efficient tax resolution process in the country.
On other hand, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that Federal government has plan to bring undocumented businesses into the tax net.
Addressing the media, he underscored the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people and highlighted the importance of setting realistic targets for each ministry.
Addressing to media on Sunday in Lahore, Tarar outlined that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been tasked with digitization targets, leveraging modern technology to achieve them. He further indicated that ministries have received written notifications regarding their respective targets, including those pertaining to inflation and unemployment reduction, growth, IMF programs, and loans.
Drawing attention to the government’s austerity measures, Tarar noted the ongoing efforts to curtail excessive expenditures. He underscored that cabinet members are refraining from availing salary privileges, emphasizing accountability to the public who elected them.
