FTO Removes Previous Foreign Advisers, Launches Transparent Appointment Process
ISLAMABAD : The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has announced plans to appoint prominent overseas Pakistanis as new honorary advisers in various countries abroad, in consultation with the Foreign Office.
In the first phase of reforms, the newly appointed FTO removed all previous overseas advisers serving in foreign tax jurisdictions. The FTO has now requested the Foreign Office to facilitate the appointment of new honorary advisers under the second phase.
The move follows allegations by Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) Chairman and international constitutional lawyer Muhammad Azhar Siddique, who criticized past foreign appointments as opaque, claiming advisors were appointed in Canada, the USA, the UK, Sweden, Hong Kong, Finland, Spain, and other European countries without advertisement, merit-based selection, or lawful authority.
The FTO has issued directives to its Secretariat to prioritize complaints from overseas Pakistanis against the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), ensuring that they are addressed promptly to avoid delays and difficulties.
Highlighting the significance of overseas Pakistanis, the FTO stated, “They are the backbone of the national economy, stabilizing it through valuable foreign exchange and projecting a positive image of Pakistan globally. Practical steps are being taken to ensure the immediate and effective resolution of their issues.”
Overseas Pakistanis can register complaints through the nominated advisers using multiple channels, including the helplines (051-9212437 / 042-99204140), WhatsApp (0334-0544460), social media platforms (Facebook: ftopakistan, Instagram: fto-pak, Twitter: taxombudsman), the FTO mobile app, email (media@fto.gov.pk), and the FTO website (www.fto.gov.pk).
