The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Federal Board of Revenue to immediately release pending tax refunds of Rs. 103 billion, warning that prolonged delays are putting serious liquidity pressure on foreign investors.
The chamber said the growing backlog is affecting business operations and weakening investor confidence in Pakistan.
In a letter addressed to the FBR, OICCI highlighted that outstanding refund claims have continued to rise despite repeated requests for settlement.
The pending amount has increased from Rs. 96 billion in November 2025 to Rs. 103 billion as of February 2026, reflecting a growth of nearly 7 percent in just three months.
The total includes Rs. 65 billion in income tax refunds and Rs. 37 billion in sales tax refunds owed to member companies.
A significant portion of these claims, around Rs. 74 billion, is linked to Karachi-based firms, followed by Rs. 16 billion in Lahore and Rs. 13 billion in Islamabad.
The chamber noted that the accumulation of refunds is creating operational challenges, particularly for large foreign investors who rely on timely cash flows to sustain business activities.
OICCI also reiterated its earlier recommendation to allow adjustment of Super Tax liabilities against pending refunds, stating that such measures could provide immediate financial relief to companies.
Calling for urgent intervention, the chamber requested the FBR chairman to ensure swift processing of refunds and to introduce a transparent and time-bound mechanism to prevent further buildup.
The organization emphasized that resolving the issue is critical for improving Pakistan’s investment climate and supporting foreign direct investment inflows.