Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant authorities to expand the tax net and take strict measures against tax evasion, emphasizing the importance of using technology to prevent such practices.

During a review meeting focused on broadening the tax base and increasing tax revenue, the prime minister underscored the necessity of bringing individuals and sectors capable of paying taxes into the tax net.

He called for strict accountability measures for officers and personnel found aiding tax evaders, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The prime minister commended the government’s economic team for making progress toward achieving the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) revenue targets for the current fiscal year. He stated that expanding the tax net is crucial to reducing the tax burden on the general populace by lowering their tax rates.

Prime Minister Sharif instructed the completion of digital monitoring of the cement and other sectors by the following month. Additionally, he emphasized accelerating efforts to increase tax revenue from the tobacco sector in collaboration with provincial authorities.

He also urged effective pursuit of pending tax-related cases to ensure the recovery of public funds. “By the grace of Allah, the national economy is stable and moving toward growth,” the prime minister remarked, calling for collective efforts for national development.

The meeting highlighted that the nationwide implementation of the Track and Trace System at cement plants resulted in a significant tax revenue increase. The sugar industry’s adoption of this system led to a 35% increase in tax revenue from November 2024 to April 2025.

The reforms in the FBR are expected to help achieve a tax revenue target equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, the Chairman of FBR, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.