The Pakistani federal government has introduced a new policy that requires passengers traveling to Gulf countries on labor visas to pay a fixed excise duty of Rs 5,000 on their air tickets. This new rule has been officially announced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in a recent notification.
The purpose of this policy is to simplify the tax system and boost the revenue generated from the increasing number of workers leaving Pakistan to work in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The tax will be added to the cost of airline tickets for those traveling to these countries, and it is important that the worker’s visa is clearly visible and verified on their passport.
This new tax is part of the government’s broader strategy to better manage the growing trend of labor migration to the Gulf region.
By implementing this measure, the government hopes to benefit from the large number of Pakistanis working abroad and ensure that the process is organized and regulated. The move is also seen as a way to generate additional income for the country by tapping into the significant flow of outbound workers.
