Islamabad, May 22, 2025 – Parliamentary Secretary Sheikh Saad Waseem said on Wednesday that the government is prioritizing tax compliance and broadening the tax base instead of taking punitive actions like blocking mobile SIMs. Speaking during the question hour in the National Assembly, Saad emphasized that effective and citizen-friendly policies are yielding positive results in the country’s revenue system. He informed the House that since 2022, the government has successfully brought nearly 8 million individuals into the tax net through targeted reforms, digitalization, and awareness campaigns. Responding to a query raised by MNA Shazia Soomro, Saad acknowledged that while exact figures for reduced tax evasion are not currently available, indicators suggest a steady decline in non-compliance. “The government is not looking to implement controversial or harsh measures like SIM blocking,” Saad explained. “Instead, our focus is on encouraging voluntary compliance, streamlining tax filing procedures, and integrating systems to make it easier for citizens to fulfill their obligations.” In reply to another question by Khawaja Izhar, the parliamentary secretary disclosed that 458,342 individuals…