Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) hosted its inaugural Task Force meeting on digitalization, signaling a government push towards comprehensive reform of its tax systems.

According to Federal Board of Revenue, the meeting, chaired by the Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Mr. Ali Pervez Malik and co-chaired by DG C41, Major General Syed Ali Raza, set forth a strategic agenda to transform and fully digitize the FBR’s operations. State Minister Malik emphasized that this initiative is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and improving Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio. The meeting brought together various stakeholders, including FBR Chairman Mr. Rashid Mahmood Langrial, and members from both the public and private sectors, such as Mr. Ghazi Akhtar from Lotte Akhtar Beverages and Ms. Tania Aidrus.

Discussions focused on the integration of technological solutions to enhance revenue collection and compliance. A presentation by Mr. Ali Malik from McKinsey outlined the progress towards digitalization, identifying key areas for immediate action based on global best practices. The Task Force also deliberated on Terms of References that include data sharing, supply chain automation, and the restructuring of PRAL.

Future sessions will expand to include members from the SECP, the State Bank, and the Ministries of Commerce and Foreign Affairs to further refine the digital transformation strategy. The establishment of four working groups led by experts like Mr. Gohar Ahmed Khan and Ms. Tania Aidrus aims to draft detailed recommendations for the next meeting scheduled for August 21, 2024.