Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to prioritize bringing affluent individuals into the tax system, emphasizing that the financially disadvantaged should not bear additional tax burdens. During a meeting focused on FBR’s reforms and digital advancements, the Prime Minister outlined several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and fairness of Pakistan’s tax system.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister has instructed the FBR to upgrade the tax refund process and increase the number of appellate tribunals to 100 to expedite the resolution of pending cases. These tribunals are to be monitored through a new performance dashboard that will track their efficiency and effectiveness in handling disputes.
Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif has called for a unified strategy to integrate all ongoing reform projects under one central system at FBR and sought suggestions for overhauling the Pakistan Revenue Automation Authority. He also mandated the implementation of the Automated Entry-Exit System at Gwadar port to streamline operations.
The Prime Minister’s directive to implement a single sales tax system for all taxpayers by October was highlighted as a significant step towards simplifying the tax process and ensuring compliance.
The meeting also reviewed progress on resolving existing tax disputes, with officials reporting that steps have been taken to address 83,579 pending cases. Additionally, it was revealed that through the use of advanced technology, approximately 4.9 million financially capable individuals have been identified who are not yet within the tax net.