The number of candidates contesting the upcoming elections, who haven''t National Tax Number (NTN), has steeply jumped to around 8,000 mark, as verified and communicated by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Sources told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that the FBR''s Central Verification Cell had scrutinised 13,500 nomination papers of which around 8,000 candidates were without NTN. As compared to April 2, the number of non-NTN holders has doubled on April 3--merely just in one day. The non-taxpayers applicants have increased from 4,000 to 8,000.
The FBR received 16,500 nomination papers as on April 2. Out of the 16,500 cases, the FBR has verified 13,500 nomination papers and communicated the information to the ECP for further action. The verified data revealed that nearly 8,000 contending candidates are non-NTN holders.
The alarming number clearly reflects that 8,000 contesting candidates are neither registered with the tax department nor paying any taxes. Even these 8,000 persons do not have basic identification for tax purposes in the form of NTNs. The FBR''s Central Verification Cell has informed the ECP that around 8,000 cases have no NTN and have not filed any income tax returns. The declarations have been duly verified and communicated to the ECP for onward submission to the Returning Officers.
The situation would be clear following verification of all the 16,500 nomination papers received so far. Sources said that FBR''s Central Verification Cell is working in three shifts for speedy clearance of nomination papers filed by contesting candidates. Three shifts of the cell are working round-the-clock for verification of documents of the contesting candidates. After completion of verification of 16,500 nomination papers by the FBR''s Central Verification Cell, the number of non-NTN holders might further increase, they added.