Peshawar: A review of the Federal Board of Revenue's Active Taxpayers List reveals that 15 Members of the Provincial Assembly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have not filed their income tax returns for the 2024 tax year. The absence of these legislators' names from the list raises concerns about compliance with tax regulations.

According to Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), this finding is part of its ongoing series assessing the tax return-filing habits of Pakistan's elected officials. FAFEN verified the filing status using data from the FBR's website and online verification system, cross-referencing it with legislators' National Identity Card numbers from nomination papers and tax directories.

Among the 145 members of the Provincial Assembly, 62 are listed as active taxpayers, while 14 are marked inactive for failing to file their returns as per the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Additionally, one member's tax status could not be confirmed due to missing records. The tax status of 67 members remains unverifiable due to unavailable National Identity Card numbers.

All 15 non-filers occupy general seats, with 14 being independents and one affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, as recorded on the Provincial Assembly's website. The implications for non-filers under current tax laws were not addressed in the release.