FTO Zafar Hijazi visited the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and addressed the business community, assuring full protection of taxpayers’ rights and announcing relief-oriented measures aimed at easing compliance burdens.
Speaking at his first chamber visit since taking office, FTO Zafar Hijazi said every possible step would be taken to safeguard taxpayers and that upcoming budget proposals will focus on ending harassment of tax filers. He announced a streamlined process for grievances, stating that complaints against the Federal Board of Revenue and related appeals will now be reviewed and fixed within a single day to deliver faster relief to businesses.
Almas Ali Jovindah, Advisor (Legal) to the FTO, reported that the office received more than 38,000 complaints against the Federal Board of Revenue during 2025 and that the FBR implemented 98 percent of the FTO’s recommendations, underscoring the effectiveness of the redress mechanism.
RCCI President Usman Shaukat highlighted the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s role as a deterrent and praised timely resolution of traders’ complaints. Group Leader Sohail Altaf said confidence in the FTO office has increased, clarifying that traders have no objection to paying taxes but are concerned about FBR procedures. He emphasized that the business community acts as withholding agents, collecting and depositing taxes for the FBR without credit or recognition, and urged that businessmen be treated as partners in tax collection.
Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, former RCCI presidents, Vice President FPCCI Tariq Jadoon, members of the executive committee and a large number of chamber members attended the session. The FTO reiterated that providing maximum relief to businessmen and ensuring quick resolution of disputes remain top priorities for the office.
