News
Ombudsman moot starts from 28th: Conference to discuss practices in member states
By Ahmad Ahmadani
ISLAMABAD: Two-day international conference of the ombudsman will be commenced from April 28, 2014 in which Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s members would discuss and review the implementation of effective tax laws, practices and regulatory oversight over tax authorities in member states.
Rauf Chaudhry Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) at a press conference said foolproof security measures have been finalised for the security of delegates that were arriving Pakistan to attend the international conference. He said delegates from over 24 countries would participate in the event. Two delegates have arrived while remaining delegations from OIC states would turn up by tomorrow evening (Sunday’s eve), he added. About the objectives of scheduled international conference FTO said this event was being organised by Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman for the networking of ombudsman of OIC member states. This conference would be helpful in utilising the information, experience, and knowledge of the members of OIC especially in formulating policies and strategies to broaden the tax net.
He informed three working groups would be formed to accomplish different tasks, as various responsibilities would be assigned to them during the said conference.
A resolution would also be presented to promote networking among ombudsman of the member countries of OIC, he said.
Announcement with regard to the decision of conference would be made on April 29. He said so far 144 countries have established such institutes, while 27 countries out of 57 member states of OIC have established ombudsman office under parliamentary system of government. Meanwhile FTO is formulating recommendations how to broaden the tax net, which would be presented to the government before the upcoming annual budget for the fiscal year 2014-15. These recommendations are likely to be included by the government in upcoming budget document, he added. Replying to a question pertaining numbers of complaints so far registered with FTO, Chaudhry informed FTO has received around 1,900 complaints during 2013, while 1,600 complaints were received in 2012. Most of the complaints were regarding refund of sales and General Sales Tax concerning with Federal Board of Revenue. Currently Pakistan has a slanderous model of tax ombudsman, as 12 ombudsman offices are working in the country that include 12 offices at federal level while seven offices have been established at provincial level with a focus to monitor the working of tax, banking, insurance, civil administration, provincial affairs, gender discrimination and sexual harassment etc.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk