How to Check and Activate Mobile SIMs Blocked by FBR in Pakistan

Facing a Blocked SIM Card? It Might Be Your Taxes!The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan is taking action against non-filers of income tax returns for tax year 2023. Over 500,000 SIM cards linked to individuals who haven’t filed their returns have been blocked!

In addition to blocking mobile phone SIMs there might be some other penalties and fines for not filing your tax returns in Pakistan.

Things to know about FBR SIM Blocking:

• Reason for Block: The FBR aims to encourage responsible tax citizenship by targeting those who haven’t fulfilled their tax filing obligations.
• Impact on You: If you haven’t filed your 2023 tax return and your CNIC is linked to a blocked SIM, you’ll lose phone service until compliance is achieved.
• Scope of Block: This block applies to all mobile phone SIMs registered under your CNIC, regardless of the mobile operator.

How to Check if Your SIM is in Block List of FBR:

Publicly available list where you can directly search for your name using your CNIC. Here are the recommended ways to verify your SIM block status:

1. Click the Link of FBR Document: Visit FBR SIM Block List to see if you are one of them. The official document issued by FBR. Search your name/cnic in the list.
2. Mobile Operator Communication: Mobile service providers might be sending text messages regarding the block. Ensure you haven’t blocked promotional messages in your phone settings to receive these updates.
3. Contact Us: Send an email or drop a message at our contact number via whatsapp with your name and CNIC number and we can check it for you.

Unblocking Your SIM:

Many non-filers in Pakistan recently had their mobile SIM cards blocked by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for not filing income tax returns. But fret no more! If you’ve since filed your return, here’s how to get your SIM card reactivated.

1. File Your Return (2024): Ensure you’ve filed your income tax return for the year 2024.
2. Pay the ATL Surcharge (Section 182): Double-check that you’ve paid the Rs. 1,000 ATL surcharge under the correct section, which isSection 182 –Payment of surcharge.
3. Contact FBR (if a mistake): If you believe there’s been an error, contact the FBR or your local Commissioner Inland Revenue to resolve the issue.

Activation Time:In most cases, the unblocking process is swift. While the maximum timeframe for reactivation can be up to 72 hours, your SIM card might be functional within a few hours after achieving ATL status. Recent reports and studies showing that activation is taking up to five working days.

Forgot Your FBR Password?

Even if you’ve forgotten your FBR password and your SIM is blocked, you can still reset your password. Here’s the good news: password reset on the FBR website allows email verification, so you don’t necessarily need a functioning SIM card for this process.

Remember:

This situation highlights the importance of filing your income tax returns on time if you’re legally required to do so. By staying compliant with tax regulations, you can avoid inconveniences like SIM card blockages and contribute your fair share to Pakistan’s revenue.