The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has suspended China Mobile Pakistan Limited’s (Zong) bank accounts, accusing the corporation of “income tax default” worth Rs 4.1 billion.
According to sources, the Large Taxpayers’ Office Islamabad’s enforcement team started action against China Mobile Pakistan Limited (Zong) on Thursday and attached its bank accounts across the country.
According to FBR sources, the sum was applied to advance tax liability for the first quarter of the current fiscal year under income tax rules.
The FBR often initiates similar action against telecom providers; however, in the majority of cases, the action is delayed by the courts and is rarely upheld.
Recently, the tax authorities took action against Telenor Pakistan based on very similar charges.
According to sources, similar recovery measures are expected to be taken against other telecom firms in the near future.
The writer sought Zong officials for comment on the situation, but received no response until the piece was filed.
Some days ago, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has also frozen Telenor Pakistan’s bank accounts, alleging an income tax default of around Rs 3.5 billion but Telenor Pakistan filed a stay against FBR’s action.
To read our blog on “FBR froze Telenor Pakistan’s bank accounts, company filed for stay,” click here.