Reports of exorbitant withholding taxes on rickshaws, bikes 'baseless': FBR

E-Paper | June 04, 2026

A Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) spokesperson on Thursday strongly refuted reports that the govt has imposed withholding taxes to the tune of tens of thousands of rupees on auto-rickshaws and motorbikes, terming them "baseless".

The spokesperson, in a statement, said that under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, taxes are only imposed on cars. He further clarified that the FBR has not increased existing taxes imposed on motor vehicles under Sections 231B (advance tax on private motor vehicles) and 234 (tax on motor vehicles) under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

The statement added that the FBR does not have any plans to impose taxes on autorickshaws or motorbikes.

"Government will provide every facility it can to the lower-income group," the statement read.

The statement seems to be a response to rumours, often accompanied with a picture of what appears to be a fake notification, circulating on social media claiming that the body has imposed withholding taxes to the tune of tens of thousands of rupees on motorcycles and autorickshaws.

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Pakistan

Tahir Sherani is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn News (TV) with 16 years of experience. His coverage focuses on the national economy, energy, cabinet affairs, the Establishment Division, and the Prime Minister’s Office.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 25, 2019 06:26pm

Not a bad idea though since they use the roads and highways of the country without paying any taxes especially bikes, which occupy major parts of the roads on 24/7 basis, don't follow traffic rules and cause lots of accidents too.

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desi dimag

Jul 25, 2019 06:46pm

Impose Tax on Roti too. Now a days people are eating a lot.

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Telephone Man

Jul 25, 2019 07:03pm

... More misinformation from the opposition.

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random

Jul 25, 2019 08:19pm

they should be taxed and discouraged as there is an alarming increase in their usage causing congestion and pollution.

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Justicefirst

Jul 25, 2019 08:25pm

Disinformation is the main ammunition of the corrupts and looters against the current honest leadership.

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shahzad

Jul 25, 2019 10:09pm

Why should not they be taxed. Rickshaws are commercial vehicles. At tax any 2 wheeler over 100CC

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Newborn

Jul 25, 2019 10:35pm

Unfair not to cut sales tax on breathing. Imran Khan can collect billions of dollars this way.

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Highlander

Jul 25, 2019 11:09pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, so very elitist. Car walaas always have this, idk, spite for rickshaws and bike walaas

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Lahori Kid

Jul 25, 2019 11:11pm

Why wouldn't you impose yearly taxes on rickshaws and motorcycles? There are millions on the road, if a poor business owner of a small shop is expected to pay taxes on his income, so should the rest of them. You know why the government is poor? Its because they base everything on being poor, and not because its how the world works, Pakistan is in no shape or form to support millions of poor, its just not economically possible, I don't care what model you want to implement, you cannot draw blood from a rock

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Fazal Karim

Jul 25, 2019 11:17pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, They are forced to use motor cycles because of absence of public buses and trains.

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bhaRAT©

Jul 25, 2019 11:32pm

@desi dimag, "Impose Tax on Roti too. Now a days people are eating a lot." Typical sneering disdain that heralds your comments!

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aslam khan

Jul 26, 2019 12:05am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, for road use Registration Tax paid yearly

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Bhaijan

Jul 26, 2019 12:27am

Forgetting all heads of accounts, there remains only rickshaws & bikes, to ponder.

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Bhaijan

Jul 26, 2019 12:34am

@desi dimag, 50% price raised on roti. Reason ofcourse increase on prices of flour.

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Khan

Jul 26, 2019 12:46am

FBR have scared off all businessmen, Banks,Real Estate and money exchangers, Auto industries,Industrialist, travel agents ,every poor peoples including sweepers .Whole country economic wheel is at stand still.Peoples with money Leaving Pakistan for good while corruption in institutions is at peak and unchecked during Government and Opposition. tussles.

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Amir

Jul 26, 2019 12:58am

@Lahori Kid, Government is poor because it spend 3000 billion on government employees (200 billion alone on single entity called PIA) and only 600 - 900 billion on PSDP.

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Wasim

Jul 26, 2019 01:39am

Last year (2018) token tax paid was Rs.3,750 on Corolla, 1599 cc (Islamabad Regn.) This year on the same car I had to pay Rs.8,750. Can FBR provide clarification that there is no increase in existing tax on motor vehicles.

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Shami

Jul 26, 2019 01:52am

Introduce city tax from tourists and House tax from every household. Prospress countries in EU collect this tax from every citizen or non citizen. Taxi and rikhshaw drivers are poor people, they hardly make earn their livelihood

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Khan

Jul 26, 2019 03:32am

PTI is fighting to eliminate the poor peoples from Pakistan.

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Asif Shahzad

Jul 26, 2019 03:36am

I was also hearing about it from some social media friends. Anyway it's a better way to correct it.

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Waqar Khan

Jul 26, 2019 04:16am

FBR should Tax all type of income. Everyone must pay into the system or else Pakistan will have a long way to achieve its success

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Jul 26, 2019 05:12am

With the economical situation in the country, travelling in a Rickshaw or a two wheeler is sort of luxury and both must be taxed heavily.

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Jul 26, 2019 05:13am

I thinkthese vehicles must be taxed based on combined income of the owners

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fairplay

Jul 26, 2019 05:35am

False news spread by the opposition, who don't care about the country, and never have.

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Just Saying

Jul 26, 2019 05:38am

Finally Pakistan is going after big fish who are making money off the books and hoarding it.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Jul 26, 2019 01:55pm

Every Pakistani want to make money in Pakistan but do not want to pay their taxes.

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Osman Karim Khara

Jul 26, 2019 02:28pm

_ What are the odds he is wrong?

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Saifulislam

Jul 26, 2019 05:07pm

I am running small business having one embroidery machine I facing lot of problem in purchasing thead they are charging 17% gst and 3% income tax and when I asked to give receipt they told me we will give you from 1st August its mean that the tax I have paid , is for the pocket of manufacturer and it is not returned

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