PM Shehbaz urges FBR to expand net, raise tax-to-GDP to 11%

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to widen the tax net and intensify efforts to raise Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 11 per cent to achieve tax revenue targets.

He issued the instructions while chairing a high-level weekly review meeting on FBR affairs, where officials briefed him on revenue targets, digitisation initiatives and measures aimed at curbing tax evasion.

The premier also called for ensuring effective tax enforcement across all government sectors and guaranteeing the timely release of sales tax refunds.

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PM Shehbaz praised the FBR for reducing customs-clearance times through the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence, and directed the department to further accelerate clearance for both imports and exports.

He also commended the FBR and law-enforcement agencies for action against factories involved in illegal cigarette production, urging provincial governments to maintain full cooperation.

Officials informed the meeting that focal persons from the FBR and Excise and Taxation Departments have been deployed across the coutnry to bring the entire tobacco sector into the tax net, adding that a mentionable quantity of illegal cigarettes had been seized in recent operations.

The meeting also reviewed the status of pending tax-related cases before various tribunals and institutions.

Separately, the premier met the chairman of WAPDA, who briefed him on development projects under the authority’s supervision. The discussion covered progress on enhancing water storage capacity and other administrative and technical matters, with Sharif updated on ongoing efforts to protect and expand the country’s water resources.