Easing tax burden on low-income groups a priority, says PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said expanding Pakistan’s tax base and easing the burden on lower-income citizens were among the government’s top priorities as he reviewed the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) ongoing digitisation and reform efforts.

Chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, Sharif praised the launch of simplified Urdu-language tax returns and called for the establishment of a helpline to assist the public in filing returns. “In tax reforms, the focus should remain on the convenience of the common man,” he said.

He directed authorities to ensure third-party validation for all FBR reforms to maintain transparency. The prime minister emphasised that digital, concise, and database-linked tax returns would primarily benefit salaried individuals.

A public awareness campaign will soon be launched to encourage wider adoption of the new tax filing system. “For the first time in the country’s history, the implementation of an AI-based tax assessment system is a big success,” hesaid, lauding the efforts of the finance ministry and FBR.

Sharif also instructed that special support be extended to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for integrating into the new digital invoicing system.

The meeting was attended by senior ministers, FBR officials, and members of the economic team. Participants were briefed on the digitisation of invoicing, e-bilty, cargo tracking, and the establishment of a central command and control centre.

According to the FBR, bidding for the control centre will be completed shortly, with the system expected to be operational by September. The centralised system aims to enhance real-time data access and decision-making.

Officials also highlighted the AI-based advance goods declaration system. Traders can now submit declarations before shipments arrive, allowing for full exemption of upfront duties. The proportion of advance declarations is expected to rise from 3% to over 95%, enabling direct delivery from ports to factories.

Under the digital invoicing initiative, all businesses will be required to issue receipts through the FBR’s online platform. Over 20,000 businesses are expected to join the system in the coming months, with 8,000 invoices worth Rs11.6 billion issued in just one month.

The meeting was informed that returns for salaried individuals will go live on July 15, while other categories will be able to file by July 30. Urdu versions for salaried individuals will also be available.

The FBR’s e-bilty and cargo tracking systems were also reviewed. These platforms, assisted by Turkish experts, will enable real-time tracking of goods movement and tax compliance, aligning Pakistan’s infrastructure with international standards.