Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr Asif Mahmood Jah said that the FTO Secretariat resolved 57,000 taxpayer complaints during his four-year tenure — a record compared to 37,000 cases addressed collectively over the previous 21 years.
Speaking at a farewell reception hosted by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Dr Jah said the office had provided relief to taxpayers ranging from small businesses to large corporations, ensuring “swift and fair resolution of grievances.”
He said close coordination with chambers of commerce across Pakistan helped strengthen public-private collaboration through the appointment of honorary advisors from the business community. Calling KCCI the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, Dr Jah shared that when he took office, there were 3.5 million taxpayers but only about 3,000 complaints annually.
He said his office reduced the average decision time to 30 days, with some cases resolved within hours. Notable achievements included decisions simplifying biometric verification for senior citizens and overseas Pakistanis, and improving refund processing. He said refunds worth Rs18 billion were issued in one year and Rs23 billion the following year through FTO intervention.
Dr Jah emphasized that the FTO’s purpose is to ensure quick, free-of-cost justice. “We made complaint registration as easy as sending a WhatsApp message,” he said, adding that the online complaint system had been upgraded for greater efficiency.
KCCI Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG) Jawed Bilwani praised Dr Jah’s proactive role in reducing taxpayer hardships and ensuring timely decisions. He noted that 13 new FTO offices were opened under his tenure to expand access nationwide.
KCCI President Rehan Hanif commended Dr Jah’s efforts for providing consistent relief to taxpayers and said all FTO decisions were duly implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The event was attended by KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Muhammad Arif Lakhany, former president Shamim Ahmed Firpo, members of the Managing Committee, senior customs officials, and FTO advisors.
