KARACHI: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr Asif Mahmood Jah, Wednesday, informed that the FTO Secretariat during his four-year tenure has resolved 57,000 complaints pertaining to taxpayers’ grievances, a remarkable achievement compared to the 37,000 cases collectively resolved over the last 21 years.
“From small taxpayers to large corporate entities, we have ensured maximum relief and delivered swift justice to all complainants”, he added while addressing a farewell luncheon reception hosted in his honor by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry with attendance of KCCI leadership, said a statement issued here.
Dr Jah highlighted that through close collaboration with chambers of commerce across Pakistan, the FTO Secretariat successfully promoted public-private partnership by appointing honorary advisors from the business community.
The FTO termed the Karachi Chamber as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and also shared his strategy for devising an effective mechanism to reform and activate the institution. Dr Jah said, “At that time, Pakistan had around 3.5 million taxpayers, but the FTO Office was receiving barely 3,000 complaints annually.”
His guiding principle has always been ‘Respect the Taxpayer’ and the office succeeded in reducing the average decision time to just 30 days, with some cases even resolved within a few hours through dedication and efficiency, he shared and presented decisions on Biometric verification by FBR resolving the difficulties faced by senior citizens and overseas Pakistanis, improved refund mechanism as his success stories.
“Rs18 billion worth of refunds were issued in one year, while another Rs23 billion were cleared last year. Many long-pending rebate claims were also released through FTO intervention”, he added.
Dr Jah emphasized that the purpose of the FTO is to ensure quick, free-of-cost justice for taxpayers. “We simplified complaint registration to the extent that even a Whats-App message can initiate a case. We also upgraded the online complaint management system”, he explained.
Vice Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Jawed Bilwani, while highly appreciating the proactive approach adopted by the Federal Tax Ombudsman in minimizing the hardships faced by taxpayers, stated that the current FTO has truly ensured timely justice at taxpayers’ doorstep, which is evident from the opening of 13 new FTO offices across various cities of Pakistan.
He lauded the remarkable initiatives taken under the leadership of Dr Asif Mahmood Jah and reaffirmed KCCI’s continued support and cooperation for the FTO and his dedicated team in all their future endeavors.
President KCCI Rehan Hanif, paid glowing tribute to Dr Asif Mahmood Jah for his outstanding services in providing relief to taxpayers through landmark judgements and proactive interventions. He expressed satisfaction that all decisions of the FTO were duly implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The event was attended by KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Muhammad Arif Lakhany, Chairman Federal Taxation Subcommittee Abu Bakar Siddique Ahmed Shamsi, Former President Shamim Ahmed Firpo, members of KCCI’s Managing Committee, senior customs officials, and FTO advisors.
