Chairing a weekly review meeting on FBR reforms on Monday, the prime minister directed officials to accelerate the introduction of faceless systems in tax collection to improve transparency and accountability.
He stressed the need to strengthen professional training, improve staff performance and expand the use of technology to modernise the tax administration system.
Shehbaz Sharif said officers and employees who demonstrated improved conduct and performance should be given opportunities to reform themselves. However, he made it clear that corruption and persistent poor performance would not be tolerated.
During the meeting, officials informed the prime minister that Pakistan’s estimated tax gap had declined from 6 percent to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the past three years.
The meeting was also informed that the appointment of 957 third-party auditors had increased the FBR’s audit capacity fourfold.
The prime minister directed the tax authority to continue strengthening its institutional capacity and take further measures to reduce the tax gap.
He emphasised that ongoing reforms must deliver tangible results, improve revenue collection and ensure greater accountability within the organisation.
The government has been pursuing reforms aimed at making tax collection more transparent, reducing opportunities for corruption and improving compliance.
The latest directives underscore the government’s focus on reforming the FBR, improving tax administration and ensuring that officials perform their duties honestly and efficiently.
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that improved governance, accountability and the effective use of technology were essential to strengthening Pakistan’s tax system and increasing public confidence in the revenue authority.
