Islamabad, Oct. 2 -- Pakistan has recorded a sharp rise in the number of income tax return filers, but the increase has not translated into higher tax payments, with the amount paid alongside returns falling by 7 per cent, Geo News reported.

According to data compiled by Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), taxpayers paid Rs 77.3 billion with their income tax returns up to September 30, compared with Rs 83.3 billion during the same period last year, the report said.

The data showed that nearly 1.79 million additional returns were filed during the ongoing fiscal year. However, the report highlighted that around 39 per cent of the returns filed this year were nil returns, meaning taxpayers reported no income tax payable.

Returns de...