KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday commended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its successful reform initiatives, as the number of income tax return filers in Pakistan surged to 7.2 million by June 30, 2025. This marks a remarkable 60% increase from the previous year’s 4.5 million filers.
The announcement came during a high-level review meeting chaired by the prime minister on the FBR’s ongoing reform agenda, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Officials briefed the meeting on key developments, attributing the sharp rise in tax filers to FBR’s targeted enforcement actions, digitisation efforts, and improved taxpayer facilitation. These measures, they noted, have played a central role in expanding the tax base.
The meeting also highlighted a significant fiscal achievement — a 1.5% rise in the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio in 2025 compared to 2024. This increase reflects enhanced tax compliance and the broader impact of reforms implemented over the past year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the FBR’s progress, urging the continuation of transparent and technology-driven practices to ensure sustainable revenue growth. He stressed that increasing the tax net is vital for the country’s economic stability and development.
The government has prioritized tax reform as part of its broader economic strategy, aiming to strengthen state revenues without imposing additional burdens on existing taxpayers.
