Telecom companies have expressed their concerns to the Ministry of IT about the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) recent decision to block non-filers SIMs, stating that the action was rushed and could negatively affect telecom customers.
These concerns were also communicated to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) following the FBR’s Income Tax General Order (ITGO) issued on April 29, aimed at blocking the SIMs of 506,671 individuals who did not file tax returns for the tax year 2023.
Read: PTA Opposes FBR’s Plan to Block SIMs of Tax Non-Filers in Pakistan
The cellular mobile operators (CMOs) emphasized their obligation to provide uninterrupted service, which, under the Telecom Act and relevant regulations, should not be disrupted unless specifically warranted. The letter argued that the FBR’s decision could significantly impair customers’ access to essential services, which various superior court rulings have recognized as a fundamental right.
The telecom companies highlighted the importance of consumer rights, noting that service suspensions should only occur with prior notice, a requirement not met by the ITGO due to its legal shortcomings.
The letter stressed that telecom companies, as major contributors to national revenue, should be granted legal protections or indemnities before such orders are enforced to shield them from potential customer claims.
It further noted the technical challenges and contractual obligations to customers, including the need to provide multiple warnings before SIM blocking, which are mandated by law but not addressed in the current ITGO.
Lastly, the telecom industry called for a fair and equitable treatment of affected individuals, suggesting that they should be informed through media campaigns and provided with show-cause notices to defend their cases in legal tribunals.
