Lahore – July 2025: A high-level meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) was held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), co-chaired by Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah and LCCI President Mr. Abu Zer Shad. The session brought together key members of the business community, including Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Mr. Javed Iqbal, and former LCCI Presidents Mr. Shahid Hassan Sheikh and Mr. Kashif Anwar.
In his address, Dr. Jah shared that the FTO received a record-breaking 23,000 complaints in July 2025 alone, showcasing a growing public reliance on the institution. He also noted the FTO’s extensive outreach through 277 awareness seminars held across Pakistan this year. Emphasizing transparency and trust, he highlighted that 98% of FTO decisions are upheld by the President of Pakistan.
Mr. Abu Zer Shad stressed the need for deeper coordination between FTO and LCCI to streamline the resolution of business grievances and strengthen institutional credibility. Mr. Shami praised the FTO’s awareness initiatives and expressed optimism about resolving the challenges related to Section 37AA.
The meeting featured an engaging Q&A session, where business leaders including Lahore Tax Bar President Mr. Muhammad Asif Rana raised concerns and called for timely action on key tax-related issues.
As part of the ceremony, Ms. Rabia Shah was awarded a shield for outstanding performance, while Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami was honored for his long-standing contributions. The session concluded with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha in memory of the late sister of LCCI President Mr. Shad.
