The Federal Tax Ombudsman has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to finalise lawful tax registration for a woman within 30 days after her CNIC was fraudulently used to obtain a National Tax Number (NTN) in her name.
Federal Tax Ombudsman Zafar Hijazi ordered the FBR to remove all procedural and system-related obstacles preventing the woman from filing income tax returns and complying with tax laws.
The ruling grants relief to the taxpayer, who had remained unable to secure lawful registration despite being a victim of identity misuse.
The case arose after the womans CNIC was used, without her knowledge or consent, to obtain a fraudulent NTN. Although the FBR later cancelled the fraudulent registration and acknowledged that she was a victim of identity misuse, she remained trapped within the tax registration system and was unable to obtain a valid NTN in her own name.
The FTO observed that administrative justice is not achieved merely by disposing of a complaint on technical grounds, noting that where continuing maladministration deprives a citizen of a lawful right, the grievance must be fully and effectively resolved.
While holding that the challenge to the cancellation of the fraudulent NTN was barred by limitation, the ombudsman ruled that the womans continuing inability to secure lawful tax registration amounted to an ongoing instance of maladministration requiring immediate intervention.
