ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi visited Federal Tax Ombudsman office where he was informed that institution resolved 8,128 complaints against maladministration of tax and Customs authorities during year 2023 as compared to 6,106 complaints in 2022. President highly appreciated FTO’s performance that had provided relief of Rs 17.74 billion to complainants besides addressing 8,128 complaints during last year. He urged need to provide timely relief to complainants, especially overseas Pakistanis.

During briefing to President, Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Asif Mahmood Jah said that registration of complaints increased by almost 24 percent as 8,076 complaints were filed in 2023, compared to 6,480 in 2022. FTO also provided relief of Rs 17.74 billion to taxpayers in 2023 as compared to Rs 7 billion in previous year.

Besides Federal Tax Ombudsman, advisors to FTO, regional heads and senior officials of FTO attended meeting. Dr Asif Mahmood Jah briefed president about FTO’s overall performance, outreach and initiatives taken for facilitation of taxpayers.

He informed that FTO provided free-of-charge justice to complainants against maladministration and high-handedness of tax officials within 60 days. Average time taken for disposal of complaints had been reduced to 44 days during last year.

Highlighting achievements of FTO, he stated that FTO was a public-relief-oriented organisation that had provided tax relief to low-paid employees, teachers, salaried class, pensioners and purchasers of vehicles through its decisions.

FTO was making efforts to increase its outreach and registration of cases by opening new regional offices, establishing helpline and raising awareness through seminars and interactions with business community in various cities of country, he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 11 2024

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