Business Community, Tax Payers Deserve Protection, Says Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi

Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi on Friday assured traders redressal of their concerns saying they deserve respect and protection of their rights. He termed taxpayers real benefactors of the country in during prevailing economic challenges facing Pakistan

RAWALPINDI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2026) Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi on Friday assured traders redressal of their concerns saying they deserve respect and protection of their rights. He termed taxpayers real benefactors of the country in during prevailing economic challenges facing Pakistan.

FTO Zafar Hijazi said this while addressing the business community during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), assuring them relief-oriented measures. He said that every possible step would be taken to safeguard the rights of taxpayers. He emphasized that upcoming budget proposals would ensure an end to harassment of tax filers. He informed the participants that the time for registering complaints against the Federal board of Revenue (FBR) and filing appeals has been reduced to just one day.

“Now complaints will be reviewed and appeals will be fixed within a single day,” he said, adding that his priority is to provide maximum relief to businessmen.

RCCI President Mr. Usman Shauka on the occasion highlighted the importance of the Federal Tax Ombudsman as a key institution and appreciated its role in timely resolution of traders’ complaints.

He said that the FTO has played an effective role in addressing issues faced by the business community.

Group Leader RCCI Sohail Altaf said that the confidence of the business community in the FTO office has significantly increased. He clarified that traders have no objection to paying taxes; rather, their concerns relate to the procedures adopted by FBR. He pointed out that as withholding agents, the business community collects and deposits taxes for FBR free of cost, yet no credit or recognition is given. He demanded that businessmen should be given the status of partners of FBR in tax collection.

During the event, traders expressed satisfaction and confidence that office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman would certainly address their issues.

Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, former presidents of RCCI, Vice President FPCCI Tariq Jadoon, Executive Committee members, and a large number of chamber members were also present on the occasion.