Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an expedited implementation of reforms within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), emphasizing the importance of addressing the tax gap through technological advancements and enhanced accountability measures. The Prime Minister underscored the significance of these reforms in a meeting held in Islamabad, stating they are critical to national interests.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister noted the initial positive outcomes from the ongoing reforms and urged continuous improvements in the FBR’s capacity. The focus, he advised, should be on technology, effective training, transparency, and accountability. He also emphasized the need to implement a faceless system in tax collection, aiming to reduce corruption and improve efficiency.

The Prime Minister directed the FBR to take actions against corrupt practices, while also providing an opportunity for improvement to those willing to reform. During the meeting, officials presented updates on the technological and operational advancements within the FBR, reporting a decline in the tax gap from six percent to five percent of GDP over three years. The use of technology has reportedly lessened the discretionary powers of FBR officers significantly.

To further enhance the FBR’s audit capacity, 957 auditors have been recruited on merit-based contracts. These auditors are part of a broader strategy to restructure the FBR using technology and performance-based incentives. Training programs for newly recruited and serving officers are ongoing, with a peer-rating system introduced to assess performance, according to the updates shared during the meeting.