Islamabad: The Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to establish a fully operational tax office in Gwadar, emphasizing the city’s growing economic significance and the need for efficient tax administration.
According to Fazal Faraz, a leading sales tax expert, the PTBA conveyed its concerns and recommendations to the FBR Chairman during a recent meeting at the FBR Headquarters. The association highlighted that Gwadar’s rapid development, rising trade volume, and its role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) require a dedicated FBR office to facilitate businesses and ensure tax compliance.
Currently, Gwadar only has an FBR facilitation center, which PTBA argues is inadequate to meet the needs of businesses, traders, and investors operating in the region. A fully functional Regional Tax Office (RTO) would help streamline tax collection, ensure better compliance, and reduce revenue leakage.
PTBA further stressed that having an FBR presence in Gwadar, Turbat, and nearby cities would make tax processes more accessible, reducing the burden on taxpayers who currently travel long distances to attend hearings. As an interim measure, PTBA proposed that FBR introduce a video link facility for hearings or deploy officers on a rotational basis from the regional office in Hub.
The association is confident that the FBR will take swift action to address the taxation challenges in Gwadar, aligning with the government’s vision for economic growth and investment facilitation in the region.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
