FTO Sets Up Cell to Handle Tax Issues for Foreign Embassies

Following instructions from Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, a new Diplomatic Grievances Redressal Cell has been created to help foreign embassies in Pakistan with tax matters related to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The cell is designed to handle tax issues for diplomatic staff and foreign nationals efficiently and in an organized way.

A press release announced that Mr. Almas Ali Jovindah will lead the cell. He’s currently the Legal Advisor to the FTO and also serves as Executive Secretary of the OIC Ombudsman Association, Executive Secretary of the Forum of Pakistan, Media Advisor, and Head of the Overseas Pakistanis Grievances Redressal Cell.

Taxation is usually a local issue, but dealing with foreign missions and diplomats calls for a more careful approach. Setting up this cell is considered an important step to improve economic diplomacy and ensure foreign individuals and groups have a fair way to address tax complaints in Pakistan.

To get the cell running and inform foreign missions about it, a training session is planned for April 11 at the FTO Headquarters in Islamabad. Diplomats based in the city will learn about the FTO’s role and how to get help with tax problems, especially in customs and sales tax areas.

The FTO office has stepped in before to resolve significant tax cases for foreign stakeholders, showing Pakistan’s effort to maintain a clear and open system where tax grievances are handled fairly, regardless of nationality.