According to reports, a high-level meeting on FBR affairs was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing on tax revenue targets, digitization of the economy, and ongoing measures against tax evasion.
The Prime Minister instructed that efforts be intensified to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to the target of 11 percent. He also directed the expansion of the tax net, ensured effective tax enforcement across all government sectors, and emphasized timely payment of sales tax refunds. He appreciated FBR officials for reducing customs-clearance time through the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence, and further directed that the clearance time for imports and exports be reduced even more.
He praised FBR and law-enforcement agencies for effective action against factories involved in illegal cigarette production and instructed provincial governments to continue full cooperation with FBR in this regard. It was also noted in the briefing that several focal persons from FBR and the Excise and Taxation Department have been appointed nationwide to bring the tobacco sector into the tax net, and large quantities of illegal cigarettes have recently been seized. The Prime Minister was also updated on progress regarding tax-related cases pending in various tribunals and institutions.
The Prime Minister also met with the Chairman of WAPDA, who briefed him on the increase in water reservoirs and ongoing development projects. Matters regarding improved water storage and other administrative and technical affairs of WAPDA were discussed. The Prime Minister was informed about progress related to the conservation and expansion of the country’s water resources.
