No power connections for non-filers: FBR

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has requested the Ministry of Power to refuse utility connections to income tax non-filers.

FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi in a letter to power minister has sought its help for the implementation of Section 181AA of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, which stipulates that any application for commercial or industrial connection of electricity or gas shall not be processed and provided unless the person is an income tax return filer.

Zaidi further added that FBR has extended the date of filing the return for TY18 to August 2.

The chairman has requested power ministry to issue instructions to power distribution companies apprising them that it is mandatory to be on ‘Active Taxpayers List’ for every commercial and industrial electricity or gas consumer.

The number of income tax filers has already crossed the two million-mark.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2019

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Waqar Khan

Jul 16, 2019 08:23am

So I guess this will block the no electricity to the business owners who are not filers... If you don't have no electricity 99% of time then 1% doesn't matter because they already have managed to live without the electricity plane will fail to expand the tax net.

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SAK

Jul 16, 2019 08:26am

Good move

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Zeeshan Aamir

Jul 16, 2019 09:46am

I really admire Sir Shabbar Zaidi. True professional

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Spectator

Jul 16, 2019 10:28am

Intelligent move.

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Asmat Jamal

Jul 16, 2019 11:08am

Its a good move. Imagine people seeking industrial connections but does not want to be listed as Tax Filers

Recommend 0

Javed Abid

Jul 16, 2019 11:23am

Good action.

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Mansur Ul Haque

Jul 16, 2019 11:58am

Very good. Take action against these cheaters. Bring them into tax net or send them to abroad to live second or third grade citizen there.

Recommend 0

Salman Khan

Jul 16, 2019 01:17pm

EXCELLENT move. Anyone who can afford a industrial connection earns enough to fall into the tax-net. The real poor have lived without electrical connections anyways hence this will have little impact on their lives anyways!

Recommend 0

Parvez

Jul 16, 2019 02:54pm

First ask the power company to correct the name on the electricity bills ..... I have made three attempts to have the correct name put on my bill with ZERO result ...... If a simple thing like this is not done easily, how does he expect other more complex issues to be done.

Recommend 0

Naeem Aslam

Jul 16, 2019 03:01pm

@Mansur Ul Haque, where afghanistan ?

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M. Saeed

Jul 16, 2019 03:37pm

It is unfortunate that, genuine non-filers like widows and house maids living on meager means cannot get essential provisions like electricity and gas, if they are given money by well to do people, to build their small head-cover space to live.

Recommend 0

Behram Sodawala

Jul 16, 2019 03:57pm

What about the roadside patwari's, they are all non-filers and K-Electric collects Rs.1000/- monthly from the road side push cart vendors/patwaris's. How is FBR going to control this????

Recommend 0

yes it would

Jul 16, 2019 10:16pm

So for a person setting up a new business, the business would not be on the active tax filers list. How exactly does he propose that such a business should get electricity connection?

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yes it would

Jul 16, 2019 10:18pm

@Mansur Ul Haque, "Bring them into tax net or send them to abroad to live second or third grade citizen there." Send them abroad? So which country would be willing to accept losers who do not pay tax?

Recommend 0

Shah Jee

Jul 16, 2019 11:19pm

Shabbat zaidi is only serious person in current administration and he means business. A very hard working professional has my full support.

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Saghir Ahmad Tanoli

Jul 16, 2019 11:59pm

Sounds good

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Saghir Ahmad Tanoli

Jul 16, 2019 11:59pm

Sounds good

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Adeel Iftikhar

Jul 17, 2019 01:18am

Though they took a very rigid stance now on businessman and industrialists, but they forget that economy is only runner by businessman and industrialists. They are stopping the engine of economy. Fall of economy was confirm in previous times but now it's very soon. Because they are not providing any room. Which is dangerous for economy. And for every question they have one answer. Opposition opposition nothing else.

Recommend 0

Anwar Baig

Jul 17, 2019 07:39am

Well, this is good idea but also to Monitor Kunda system and illegal gas connections

Recommend 0

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