ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to take strict action against individuals and sectors involved in tax evasion.
The prime minister, chairing a review meeting on broadening the tax base and increasing tax revenue on Tuesday, said that individuals and sectors capable of paying taxes must be brought into the tax net, said a press release issued by the PM Office.
He also called for strict accountability of officers and personnel who assist tax evaders. The prime minister praised the efforts of the government’s economic team for making swift progress toward achieving the FBR’s revenue targets for the current fiscal year.
He reiterated that expanding the tax net is a top government priority in order to reduce the tax burden on the common man.
The prime minister directed the FBR to complete the digital monitoring of the cement and other key sectors by next month. He also instructed that efforts to boost tax revenue from the tobacco sector be accelerated in collaboration with the provinces.
He stressed the need for the 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,” he said.
During the briefing, it was revealed that the full implementation of the Track and Trace System at cement plants nationwide had led to a significant increase in tax revenue.
With the implementation of this system in the sugar industry, tax revenue increased by 35% from November 2024 to April 2025. A tax revenue target equivalent to 10.6% of GDP will be attained as a result of FBR reforms.
Federal ministersAzam Nazeer Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar the FBR chairman, and senior officials attended the meeting.
Chairing a review meeting on the construction of 15 new Danish Schools and the Danish University, Shehbaz also directed expediting work on the educational institutions.
He said the establishment of these institutions across the country, for provision of quality education to the deserving and brilliant students, was among the top priorities of the government.
The prime minister also asked for quality construction work and their third party validation.
He directed the relevant authorities to install smart boards in all the classrooms, establish digital libraries and ensure a merit based and transparent appointment process for teaching staff.
He said eligible local people should be given priority during the appointment process and directed that proposals be submitted for the establishment of the Danish Authority.
During the meeting, a briefing was given over the under-construction Danish Schools and the Danish University of Islamabad. Forty-one percent work on a Danish School in Islamabad had been completed.
In Gilgit Baltistan, work on Danish Schools in Sultan Abad, Ghanche and Astore would be completed by June 30, 2026 whereas work on Bhimber and Bagh schools would also be completed in June 2026.
The feasibility and design of Danish Schools in Sharda, Sibi, Musakhel and Zhob were completed. (With input from APP)
