ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to modernizing the tax management system to increase transparency and public trust, during a meeting in Islamabad focused on ongoing reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue. The Prime Minister emphasized that the reforms are crucial to broadening the tax net and increasing government revenues.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of minimizing human intervention and discretionary powers within the tax collection system. He stated that adopting an automated and modern tax management system is a pivotal component of the government’s reform agenda. Sharif also expressed appreciation for the provincial governments’ actions against illegal cigarettes and directed the launch of a pilot project for automated income tax collection in Islamabad.

The meeting provided an overview of the proposed tax system’s capabilities, which include identifying under-reported income and assets using data from properties, vehicles, and banks. Additionally, a comprehensive plan was presented to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of inland revenue collections.