The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has achieved an unprecedented milestone by resolving 57,000 taxpayer complaints in just four years, far exceeding the 37,000 cases handled in the previous two decades, according to FTO Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah.
Since taking office, Dr. Jah has prioritized quick, transparent, and cost-free justice for taxpayers. His reforms modernized the complaint process, shortened decision times, and accelerated refund facilitation—restoring public confidence in the FTO’s role as a fair arbiter for taxpayers.
| Performance Metric | Before | Under Dr. Jah |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints Resolved | 37,000 (in 21 years) | 57,000 (in 4 years) |
| Average Decision Time | 90+ days | 30 days (some within hours) |
| Refunds Issued | – | Rs. 18B (FY2023), Rs. 23B (FY2024) |
| FTO Offices | 3 | 13 nationwide |
Speaking at a farewell reception organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Dr. Jah emphasized his focus on accessibility and efficiency.
“We made complaint registration as easy as sending a WhatsApp message,” he remarked. “Our mission was to provide free, fair, and fast justice to every taxpayer.”
He highlighted strong collaboration with chambers of commerce and the inclusion of honorary advisors from the business community, which expanded FTO’s outreach and impact.
KCCI leaders, including Vice Chairman Jawed Bilwani and President Rehan Hanif, commended Dr. Jah’s tenure for reducing taxpayer hardships and ensuring timely implementation of FTO decisions by the FBR. The event was attended by chamber representatives, former presidents, customs officials, and FTO advisors who praised his transformational reforms in taxpayer grievance redressal.
