The Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to set up a dedicated tax office in Gwadar, citing increased economic activity and growing compliance challenges faced by local taxpayers.
In a letter to FBR Member (Operations) Hameed Atiq Suroor, the PTBA asserted that the existing facilitation center in Gwadar is inadequate to meet the growing tax requirements in the region. The region includes Gwadar, Turbat, and other neighboring cities, all of which are seeing a rise in trade activity linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The PTBA noted that taxpayers currently endure long 5- to 6-hour road trips to attend hearings due to the lack of a local tax office.
The order came in the wake of a recent tax awareness seminar held in Gwadar and the establishment of the Makran Tax Union on an interim basis.
The letter said Gwadar’s strategic role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor requires stronger tax administration and facilitation for businesses and individuals in the region.
PTBA proposed several benefits of setting up a large-scale FBR office in Gwadar, including improving revenue collection, simplifying tax compliance for local businesses, and enhancing investor confidence.
She added that a strong local tax administration would be more in line with the government’s vision to develop Gwadar as a regional economic hub.