Islamabad: The Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are organizing a two-day workshop in Islamabad to discuss “Reforms for a Modern and Growth-Friendly Tax System in Pakistan.” The event, scheduled for October 20-21, 2026, aims to gather senior government officials, IMF and World Bank representatives, international tax experts, academics, and private sector leaders to explore strategies for updating Pakistan’s tax system to better support sustainable economic growth.

According to Press Information Department, the workshop will consist of six sessions focusing on topics such as taxation and economic growth, modernizing Pakistan’s tax system, implementing a unified sales tax regime, simplifying the income tax system, improving tax administration and digitalization, and enhancing fiscal federalism and provincial tax revenues. These discussions will aim to develop a tax system that is broader, fairer, simpler, and more predictable, thereby supporting revenue mobilization and economic development.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, delivered the opening remarks along with Mr. Jihad Azour from the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department and Rodrigo Valdés from the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. The sessions will cover key areas such as “Taxing Better to Boost Growth” and “Designing and Implementing a Unified Sales Tax Regime.” The workshop will conclude with a high-level panel to consolidate recommendations and outline next steps, reflecting the Government’s commitment to effective tax reforms.