Ombudsman office closure irks taxpayers

Our Correspondent January 15, 2026 Less than a minute read

ABBOTTABAD:

The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Pakistan has closed its regional office in Abbottabad with effect from December 31, 2025, along with five other regional offices, under Notification Letter No. 1(244) 2009-A-1.

The move has prompted concern among traders, who are demanding that the decision be reversed.

The Hazara Tax Bar Association, in coordination with the trader community of the Hazara Division, has appealed to Federal Tax Ombudsman Zafar Hijazi to restore the Abbottabad office, arguing that it effectively served the needs of the Hazara region and maintained close coordination with the Regional Tax Office (RTO), Abbottabad.

Besides Abbottabad, the regional FTO office catered to eight districts and provided relief against orders issued by income and sales tax officers in Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra.