ISLAMABAD   -   President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday asked the Federal Tax Ombudsman to take steps to ensure provision of timely and prompt relief to the aggrieved tax payers against the maladministration of tax functionaries.

Dr. Arif Alvi called for these steps during a meeting with Federal Tax Ombudsman Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera who presented the annual report to the President for the year 2020.

The President emphasized the need for creating awareness about the significant role being played by the Tax Ombudsman with regard to addressing public grievances against the tax authorities.

He underscored the need for further strengthening the institution of Tax Ombudsman which played a significant role in reducing malpractices as well as improving tax collection.

He asked the Ombudsman to improve liaison with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that would greatly help in promptly redressing the grievances of the people against the maladministration of tax authorities. 

Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera presented the Annual Report – 2020 to the President and briefed him about the performance and achievements of his organization during 2020.

The Federal Tax Ombudsman apprised that refund claims to the tune of Rs. 5864.94 million were decided and due amount was paid to the aggrieved tax payers by FBR during 2020. 

He highlighted that 3,555 complaints were disposed of during 2020, as against 2,863 in 2019. He informed that 3,332 fresh complaints were registered during 2020 as compared to 2,510 in 2019. 

He further informed that 3,888 cases were processed during 2020 which also included 538 carry forward cases from previous year. 

The President appreciated the role of Federal Tax Ombudsman and assured his support to the institution in the discharge of its duties and functions.