Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Islamabad: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to launch a Faceless Income Tax Refund System to enable the automated processing of eligible tax refunds and their direct electronic transfer into taxpayers’ bank accounts, saying the move would reduce delays and improve taxpayer facilitation.

The recommendation came while deciding a complaint filed by M/s Sprint Oil and Gas Services FZC, which sought the release of an income tax refund of Rs 42.86 million for tax year 2025. The company had submitted its online refund application on April 13, but alleged that the refund remained pending despite the expiry of the statutory 60-day processing period.

According to the complaint, the delay constituted maladministration under the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000. The complainant also referred to an Islamabad High Court directive calling for the implementation of an automated refund mechanism under Section 170A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, to minimise taxpayer interaction with tax offices and speed up refund payments.

In its response, the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Corporate Tax Office (CTO), Islamabad, stated that refund applications were being processed on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis under FBR instructions and that the taxpayer’s claim was still under verification after notices were issued seeking supporting documents.

After reviewing the record, the Tax Ombudsman Zafar Hijazi ruled that the refund application had remained pending beyond the statutory timeframe and that such delay amounted to maladministration due to departmental neglect and inattention. The FTO rejected the department’s reliance on the FIFO policy as a justification for prolonged delays, observing that administrative procedures could not override taxpayers’ legal rights.

The FTO directed FBR to instruct the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Refund Zone), CTO Islamabad, to decide the pending refund claim in accordance with the law after determining the nature of the taxes paid or deducted and submit a compliance report within 30 days.

In a significant policy recommendation, the Ombudsman advised FBR to operationalise a Faceless Income Tax Refund System under Section 170A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The proposed system would allow refunds, verified through the Board’s computerised system, to be transferred electronically into taxpayers’ notified bank accounts without requiring formal refund applications, similar to the faceless customs clearance and assessment regimes already introduced by FBR.

The FTO said such a mechanism would enhance efficiency, reduce taxpayer hardship and promote a modern, technology-driven tax administration.

Islamabad: Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Syedaal Khan Nasar, said on Friday that the services rendered by the Kashmiri community residing in Balochistan for the province’s development and prosperity were invaluable and deserve due recognition.

He reaffirmed that every possible effort would be made to address the issues faced by the Kashmiri community, emphasising that Balochistan was the shared home of all its people and that its progress and prosperity required collective efforts.

He expressed these views while meeting with various delegations in Quetta, including representatives of the Kashmiri community residing in Balochistan, said a message received here.

The delegations included Advocate Tariq Butt, Javed Ahmed Khan, Jahangir Khan Khuroti, Sameera Khan, Mir Zaman Lehri, Mir Liaquat, Liaquat Rajput, and others.

During the meetings, discussions were held on the country’s overall political situation, ongoing federally funded development projects in Balochistan, and other matters of public importance.

The delegations apprised the Deputy Chairman Senate in detail of the issues being faced by the local population, upon which he assured them that all possible measures would be taken to resolve their concerns.

Deputy Chairman, Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar reiterated that Pakistan had consistently extended its unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people and had always strongly condemned the atrocities committed against them by India. He affirmed that Pakistan would continue to stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He further stated that the Kashmiri community had been living in Balochistan for centuries in an atmosphere of brotherhood and harmony, making significant contributions to the province’s socio-economic development.

He emphasised that Balochistan belonged to all communities residing in the province and that safeguarding its development and prosperity was a shared responsibility.

He assured that every possible effort would be made to address the issues faced by Kashmiris living in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman Senate’s Coordinators briefed him on their performance over the past month and provided a detailed overview of the public issues brought to their attention across the province.

Syedaal Khan Nasar said that Coordinators had been appointed to maintain close contact with the people, identify their problems, and communicate them directly to him so that practical and timely measures could be taken for their resolution.

He further stated that President Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attached special importance to the development of Balochistan and had allocated substantial funds in the federal budget for development projects in the province.

He expressed confidence that the completion of these projects would significantly improve the provision of essential public services and enhance the quality of life of the people.

The Deputy Chairman Senate concluded by assuring the Coordinators and the visiting delegations that every possible step would be taken to resolve the issues they had highlighted.

Islamabad: Pakistan have moved up one place to 12th in the latest International Hockey Federation (FIH) world rankings, earning 2,544.54 ranking points.

According to a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the improvement reflects the national team’s impressive performances and consistent efforts in recent international tournaments. As a result of Pakistan’s rise, South Africa have slipped to 13th place, while Malaysia are now ranked 14th.

The PHF spokesman said the national team’s immediate target is to break back into the world’s top 10. “With the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 approaching, where Pakistan have been placed in Pool D alongside India, England and Wales, the nation expects strong performances from the team.

The players are working tirelessly, and this improvement in the world rankings will further boost their confidence ahead of the World Cup,” the spokesman added.

Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday honoured outstanding wildlife rangers and a community conservation organisations at the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2026 for their exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation.

They were given awards on anti-poaching efforts and the protection of biodiversity in the country’s remote mountain regions.

The awards ceremony, organised by the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCCandEC) and the British High Commission Pakistan, was held to mark World Ranger Day.

Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal attended the event as chief guest, while British High Commissioner Jane Marriott was the guest of honour.

The awards recognised wildlife rangers serving in the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where they work under challenging conditions to protect endangered species and combat illegal wildlife trade and poaching.

The prestigious National Snow Leopard Award 2026 was presented to Deputy Ranger Gulbaz Khan of Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for foiling an attempt to smuggle a snow leopard skin.

Other award recipients included Muhammad Younis Hasrat (Musk Deer Award), Nasir Ahmad (Markhor Award), Seer Zehab (Black Bear Award), Sajjad Hussain (Urial Award), Fida Hussain (Himalayan Lynx Award) and Parvez Iqbal (Ibex Award).

Ashiq Ahmad Khan Community-Based Conservation Excellence Award was introduced this year to recognise outstanding community-led conservation efforts.

The inaugural award was presented to the Valley Conservation and Development Organization (VCDO) of Zondrangram Valley, Upper Chitral, for its exemplary contribution to wildlife conservation.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal said Pakistan’s wildlife was a national asset whose protection required collective commitment and shared responsibility.

She paid tribute to wildlife rangers for protecting forests, mountains and wildlife despite harsh weather and difficult terrain, saying their dedication reflected Pakistan’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Pakistan’s wildlife rangers and mountain communities were playing a vital role in protecting globally important ecosystems.

She said the UK’s support through the Darwin Initiative was helping locally led conservation efforts, from snow leopard landscapes to urial habitats.

Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan Director Dr Muhammad Ali Nawaz said effective conservation was only possible through close cooperation among local communities, wildlife departments and conservation experts.

He said sustained efforts had helped restore wildlife populations and reduce human-wildlife conflict in Pakistan’s mountain landscapes.