PTBA urges FBR to establish tax office in Gwadar

PTBA urges FBR to establish tax office in Gwadar and fully operationalize amid rising economic activity in the region.

The Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to establish a dedicated tax office in Gwadar. This recommendation comes in response to the growing economic activities and the increasing challenges local taxpayers face in meeting compliance requirements.

In a letter addressed to Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, FBR Member IR (Operations), the PTBA highlighted the insufficiency of the current facilitation center in Gwadar to cater to the area’s expanding tax needs. The region, encompassing Gwadar, Turbat, and nearby cities, is witnessing heightened business activity due to developments linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The association pointed out that taxpayers in the area currently endure long, 5-6 hour road trips to attend hearings, owing to the absence of a local tax office.

This request follows a recent tax awareness seminar held in Gwadar and the provisional establishment of the Makran Tax Bar to address regional tax-related matters.

The PTBA underscored Gwadar’s strategic importance in CPEC, arguing that it necessitates a more robust tax administration to support businesses and individuals operating in the region.

The association outlined several advantages of creating a full-fledged FBR office in Gwadar, including better revenue collection, simplified tax compliance for local enterprises, and strengthened investor confidence.

Additionally, the PTBA emphasized that a well-structured local tax administration would align with the government’s broader vision of transforming Gwadar into a regional economic hub.