ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Pakistan was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, to review the institution’s progress and performance. The session was attended by prominent business leaders, representatives of traders’ unions, trade bodies, and senior advisors of the FTO.
During the meeting, participants paid glowing tribute to Dr. Jah’s exceptional leadership, praising his vision, integrity, and relentless commitment to public service and tax justice.
Institutional Performance and Achievements
The committee reviewed the FTO’s performance during Dr. Jah’s four-year tenure, noting unprecedented growth in complaint registration, case disposal, and tax refunds. Highlights include:
- 2021: 3,038 complaints registered; Rs. 8 billion refunded
- 2022: 6,480+ complaints; Rs. 7 billion refunded; 78% satisfaction rate
- 2023: 8,076 cases; Rs. 17.742 billion refunded; 94.07% implementation
- 2024: 13,506 complaints; Rs. 22.78 billion refunded
- Jan–Sept 2025: 28,602 complaints; Rs. 14 billion refunded; average disposal time reduced to 39 days
Over the past four years, refunds totaling approximately Rs. 62 billion were processed, while the credibility of FTO decisions improved significantly, as shown by the drop in review cases requiring presidential intervention from 10.95% in 2022 to just 5.88% in 2025.
Record-Setting Case Management
In just four years under Dr. Jah’s leadership, the FTO registered 57,552 cases and disposed of 52,985—surpassing the total from the previous two decades, which saw 37,118 cases registered and 36,328 disposed.
Reforms and Public Impact
Dr. Jah’s tenure was marked by reforms that prioritized marginalized taxpayers and targeted systemic tax injustices. Key initiatives included:
- Crackdowns on tax evasion by private medical colleges
- Recovery of taxes via auctions of non-duty-paid vehicles and confiscated goods
- Protection for underpaid examiners, state media workers, and cultural sector employees
- Legal and procedural reforms to expand access to tax justice
Nationwide Outreach and Awareness
To deepen public engagement, Dr. Jah:
- Mobilized chambers of commerce across Pakistan
- Appointed honorary advisors from the business community
- Launched extensive media campaigns
- Conducted 655 seminars in business hubs, universities, and professional institutions
These efforts dramatically raised tax awareness and built public trust in the FTO’s role as a defender of taxpayer rights.
Closing Remarks
In their concluding statements, both the Federal Tax Ombudsman and the Advisory Committee acknowledged the institution’s transformation under Dr. Jah. The committee unanimously praised his visionary leadership, humanitarian values, and remarkable service, expressing confidence that his legacy would inspire future reforms and deepen public trust in tax governance.
