Taxpayers in Sindh outside of Karachi must travel to Islamabad for tax dispute resolution because they are excluded from the new operations desk, which currently only facilitates Karachi-based businesses.
Karachi Desk Establishes Fast-Track Oversight
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry welcomed a dedicated Federal Board of Revenue operations desk in Karachi on Saturday.
The newly established FBR operations desk in Karachi directly oversees all regional tax offices within the city. Its purpose is to accelerate the resolution of pending taxpayer grievances.
The creation of the Karachi-based operational chief post was designed to relieve regional businessmen from the logistical burden of travelling to the federal capital. According to statements published by Dawn on November 1st, 2026, the current framework leaves major commercial hubs in the rest of the province without similar relief.
Hyderabad and Sukkur Face Administrative Barriers
Commercial entities in Hyderabad and Sukkur face identical friction points to their Karachi counterparts. These hurdles include prolonged delays in sales tax refunds, protracted audit cases, and persistent administrative bottlenecks.
Adeel Siddiqui, a member of the FPCCI Executive Committee, stated that the Hyderabad RTO alone contributes approximately Rs110 billion annually to the national exchequer.
| Region | Economic Role | Tax Contribution / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi | Primary Commercial Hub | Covered by new dedicated FBR operations desk |
| Hyderabad | Sindh’s Second-Largest Industrial Center | Contributes ~Rs110 billion; excluded from fast-track desk |
| Sukkur | Northern Sindh Economic Node | Excluded from fast-track dispute mechanism |
FPCCI Demands Immediate Provincial Integration
The FPCCI is demanding the immediate integration of Regional Tax Offices in Hyderabad and Sukkur into the same administrative framework.
Extending the operational jurisdiction of the Karachi desk to cover Hyderabad and Sukkur would eliminate the need for costly travel to Islamabad. The FPCCI maintains that regional industrial centers generating substantial national revenue require equal administrative access to prevent unnecessary financial losses for local enterprises.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
