Pakistan blocks 210,000 SIM cards to encourage tax payment

Pakistan blocks 210,000 SIM cards to encourage tax payment
Shopkeepers sell sim cards at a mobile market in Islamabad on July 4, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 04 July 2024
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Pakistan blocks 210,000 SIM cards to encourage tax payment

Pakistan blocks 210,000 SIM cards to encourage tax payment
  • Only 2.5 million people out of over 240 million people filed income tax returns two years ago in 2022
  • Pakistan is struggling to increase revenue base but is hampered by largely undocumented economy

KARACHI: Pakistan’s tax authority said Thursday it has blocked 210,000 SIM cards of users who have not filed tax returns in a bid to widen the revenue bracket.

Only 5.2 million people of the more than 240 million population filed income tax returns in 2022.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) passed the edict in April and has since sent orders to the telecommunications authority to block the connections of 210,000 SIM cards, with 62,000 of them later restored, according to the board’s data.

“We have unblocked the SIMs of those who have paid their taxes,” FBR public relations official Bakhtiar Muhammad said.

“Nobody voluntarily comes up and pays taxes. We have to make ways for the people to pay their taxes.”

Pakistan has more than 192 million cellphone subscribers and four telecommunications service providers, according to the telecommunication authority.

Pakistanis must register a SIM card with their national identity number, which is often used for multiple connections.

“Access to telecom services is a basic human right and essential for many other fundamental services, including access to information, education, and emergency services,” an official at one of the four telecommunications companies told AFP on the condition of anonymity.

“We are in dialogue with the authorities, convincing them to use technology to help increase tax collection, as abrupt measures could disrupt the provision of these critical services.”




A man walks out of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) office in Islamabad on July 4, 2024. (AFP)

The South Asian country is struggling to increase its pitifully low revenue base but is hampered by a largely undocumented economy.

The government has been pushing for more loans from the International Monetary Fund to help balance its books but the lender wants Islamabad to do more to mobilize its own resources.

“This is an absurd move. Not everyone who has SIMs earns enough to fall under the tax-paying category,” Fareiha Aziz, a digital rights activist, told AFP.

“People’s livelihoods are tied to their phones, this is an overreach.”

The four telecommunications companies warned in a letter to the ministry of information technology in June that the new tax measures against non-tax filing cellphone users were “impractical” and “non workable” and would scare away foreign investment.

Tauseef Gilani, a 66-year-old businessman in Islamabad, said the novel move was going too far.

“Whatever income I earn, it’s my responsibility to contribute back to society,” Gilani said.

“However, blocking SIMs is unjust — it infringes upon freedom of expression and violates rights.”


Pakistan need big improvement after damaging India loss, says Shakeel

Pakistan need big improvement after damaging India loss, says Shakeel
Updated 24 February 2025
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Pakistan need big improvement after damaging India loss, says Shakeel

Pakistan need big improvement after damaging India loss, says Shakeel
  • Tournament favorites India beat Pakistan by six wickets, inspired by Virat Kohli’s century 
  • Pakistan losing wickets in bunches and are not building big partnerships, says Saud Shakeel

DUBAI: Top-order batsman Saud Shakeel said Pakistan must be better in every facet after a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India left the hosts on the brink of a Champions Trophy exit.

Shakeel top scored with 62 as Pakistan were dismissed for a below-par 241 in 49.4 overs in Sunday’s blockbuster Group A clash.

Tournament favorites India overhauled the target in 42.3 overs with a masterly unbeaten 100 by Virat Kohli.

Pakistan are hosts of the one-day event but the match took place in Dubai in front of a packed 25,000 crowd after India refused to travel to their neighbor.

“We did not play well in all three departments and that is why this result has come and we have to accept this,” Shakeel told reporters.

Pakistan were lifted by a third-wicket stand of 104 between Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 46, but both fell in successive overs in the space of eight runs.
Shakeel said those wickets hurt Pakistan.

“We are losing wickets in bunches and are not building big partnerships,” he said.

He added: “When we were batting the pitch played slow. We tried to bat deep but it did not happen.

“I am sure fans will be disappointed, just like we are.”

The defeat left Pakistan at the bottom of Group A with two losses in as many games.

They now need other results to go in their favor to remain in contention for the semifinals.

“Some things did not go in our favor,” said spinner Abrar Ahmed, but agreed with Shakeel.

“We have to change a lot of things within the group.

“This tournament is like that — you go out if you lose one match. We have to improve our batting and have to do more work on bowling.”

Pakistan face Bangladesh in their last group match in Rawalpindi on Thursday, but both will already be eliminated if Bangladesh lose to New Zealand later on Monday.

Pakistan is hosting a major international cricket tournament for the first time in nearly three decades.


‘Prayers aren’t enough’: Angry Pakistan fans demand accountability after crushing loss to India

‘Prayers aren’t enough’: Angry Pakistan fans demand accountability after crushing loss to India
Updated 18 sec ago
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‘Prayers aren’t enough’: Angry Pakistan fans demand accountability after crushing loss to India

‘Prayers aren’t enough’: Angry Pakistan fans demand accountability after crushing loss to India
  • Pakistan stare at almost-certain first round Champions Trophy elimination following loss to India 
  • Passionate fans demand cricket board move beyond “familiar faces,” introduce fresh talent to squad

ISLAMABAD: Angry and dejected Pakistan fans demanded the country’s cricket stars be held accountable for the national squad’s lackluster performance against India on Sunday, which led to a crushing defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals in the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament. 
Thousands of cricket fans across Pakistan set up large screens on Sunday to watch subcontinent rivals India and Pakistan square off in Dubai. India ended up winning the contest by six wickets, cruising to a comfortable win largely due to the efforts of former captain Virat Kohli, who scored a century to mark his comeback after a slump in form. 
Hosts and defending champions Pakistan lost their second consecutive match of the tournament on Sunday. They stare at an almost first-round elimination, leaving passionate cricket fans angry, hurt and dejected. 
“We’re always praying for Pakistan’s success, but prayers alone aren’t enough,” Iqra Tahir, a cricket fan in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, told Reuters. “We need to focus on improving our performance. It’s time for us to take responsibility and work on our game.”
Sufyan, another supporter from Karachi, wore an Indian cricket jersey to the match. He said Pakistan lost as the team lacked hard work, skill and fitness, praising Kohli for his stellar knock.
“You can’t match Kohli’s skill and form. He was due for a comeback after a year-long slump, and predictably, he scored a century against Pakistan,” Sufyan said. 
Rimsha Tahir from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad said fans had high hopes from the national team, which were not fulfilled due to both poor batting and bowling. 
 “I urge the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) chairman to introduce fresh talent, moving beyond familiar faces to revitalize our game,” she said. 
Huzaifa Shahsawar, another fan from Islamabad, agreed. He pointed to Pakistan’s “subpar” fielding. 
“The team desperately needs re-training and accountability for their performance, which has left fans emotionally devastated,” he said. 
Pakistan’s title defense hangs by a thread following their defeat to India. The green shirts’ theoretical chances of making the last four will depend on other results. 


Pakistanis among 215 foreigners freed by Thai, Cambodian police in scam center raid

Pakistanis among 215 foreigners freed by Thai, Cambodian police in scam center raid
Updated 24 February 2025
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Pakistanis among 215 foreigners freed by Thai, Cambodian police in scam center raid

Pakistanis among 215 foreigners freed by Thai, Cambodian police in scam center raid
  • Rescued foreigners included 109 Thais, 50 Pakistanis, 48 Indians, five Taiwanese and three Indonesians, Thai government said 
  • Hundreds of thousands trafficked by criminal gangs, forced to work in scam centers, illegal online operations across Southeast Asia

BANGKOK: Thai and Cambodian police raided a building in a border town and freed 215 foreigners, a senior Thai official said on Sunday, in an expansion of a regional crackdown against cyber scam centers.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked by criminal gangs and forced to work in scam centers and illegal online operations across Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations. A UN report in 2023 estimated that the fast-growing operations generate billions of dollars annually.
The Sunday raid targeted a three-story building in the Cambodian border town of Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province. The rescued foreigners included 109 Thais, 50 Pakistanis, 48 Indians, five Taiwanese and three Indonesians, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said on Sunday.
“This is the largest number of Thais freed from a building suspected of cyber fraud for the two countries,” Jirayu said.
The raid was the result of a joint effort by Thailand and Cambodia to tackle scam centers, he said.
Scam centers have been operating for years. But they now face new scrutiny after the rescue of Chinese actor, Wang Xing, who was lured to Thailand with the promise of a job, and then abducted and taken to a scam center in Myanmar.
Southeast Asian countries have stepped up efforts to tackle scam centers with recent actions along the Thai-Myanmar border. Earlier this month, Thailand cut power, fuel and Internet supply to areas linked with scam centers.
China also repatriated 621 of its nationals rescued from scam centers in those areas over the past few days, the Thai army said on Saturday. 
 


Pakistan sends 14th consignment of relief items for Palestine 

Pakistan sends 14th consignment of relief items for Palestine 
Updated 24 February 2025
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Pakistan sends 14th consignment of relief items for Palestine 

Pakistan sends 14th consignment of relief items for Palestine 
  • Ninety tons of relief items include bell and winterized tents and tarpaulin sheets, says state media 
  • Pakistan has so far sent 25 relief consignments to Middle East affected by Israel’s military aggression

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s 14th consignment of relief items for the people of Palestine arrived at Egypt’s El Arish International Airport on Sunday, state-run media reported, with Islamabad promising more aid for the people of Gaza affected by Israeli military aggression. 

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) collaborated with leading non-profit organization Al-Khidmat Foundation to dispatch the shipment on Sunday, which is the 25th overall relief consignment sent to people affected by Israeli military actions in the Middle East. 

A special aircraft that flew from the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi carrying 90 tons of relief supplies, including bell and winterized tens and tarpaulin sheets, landed at El-Arish International Airport on Sunday. 

“Officials from embassy of Pakistan, Cairo received the relief consignment and handed over to Egyptian Red Crescent Society for onward dispatch to Palestinian Red Crescent Society inside Gaza,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. 

“More consignments from the government and people of Pakistan are on their way and will be delivered soon to the Palestinians inside Gaza.”

Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after Oct. 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed over 48,000 people, injured thousands more and displaced almost all of the 2 million population of the territory.

Pakistan has so far dispatched a total of 1,478 tons of relief aid exclusively for Palestine, demonstrating the country’s continued commitment to supporting the people of Gaza in these difficult times, according to the Press Information Department. 

Overall, the South Asian country has dispatched 1,961 tons of humanitarian aid, including 372 tons for Lebanon and 111 tons for Syria.


Several agreements on the cards as Pakistani PM visits Azerbaijan 

Several agreements on the cards as Pakistani PM visits Azerbaijan 
Updated 24 February 2025
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Several agreements on the cards as Pakistani PM visits Azerbaijan 

Several agreements on the cards as Pakistani PM visits Azerbaijan 
  • Shehbaz Sharif to meet Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Baku today
  • Sharif arrived in Baku on Sunday for talks on defense, trade and energy

ISLAMABAD: Several agreements are expected to be signed today, Monday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits Baku to meet Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev as the South Asian nation eyes enhanced bilateral trade and investment with landlocked Central Asia.

Sharif arrived in Baku on Sunday for talks on defense, trade and energy, his government said. The latest visit is part of Pakistan’s broader push at economic diplomacy with the Central Asian republics, to whom it has offered access to its southern ports in Karachi and Gwadar. In July 2024, the top leaders of the two nations discussed investment and trade projects worth $2 billion during Aliyev’s state visit to Pakistan. In September last year, Pakistan signed a contract to supply JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, highlighting deepening defense cooperation.

“There will be bilateral and delegation-level meetings between the prime minister and the president of Azerbaijan,” Sharif’s office said in a statement about his meeting later on Monday with Aliyev during which they would witness the signing of several agreements “to promote cooperation.”

The two leaders will also address a joint press conference this afternoon.

Sharif will also address the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum, which will bring together business leaders from both countries to explore joint ventures and trade and investment opportunities. 

During Aliyev’s Pakistan visit last year, a joint committee was set up to materialize projects in trade, commerce, information technology, tourism, telecommunication, mineral resources and other sectors.

Sharif said at the time the current trade volume of $100 million did not reflect the “true” trade potential between the two countries.