Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday instructed the immediate implementation of ongoing reforms within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which emphasized the importance of digitization and automation to revise Pakistan’s tax system.
The chairman of a high -level review meeting highlighted the prime minister the need to correct what he described as “70 years of wrong management” in the country’s tax framework.
Shehbaz promised maximum relief to honest taxpayers and businesses, but promised strict lawsuits against those involved in tax evasion without concessions.
The meeting discussed the launch of a national targeting system designed to limit revenue tax evasion. This system will use e-tags and digital devices to track goods transport, supported by an e-baged mechanism integrated into the FBR system.
Digital monitoring installations are planned on important highways and urban input points to reduce smuggling and light commuter delays.
Officials also informed the Prime Minister about a customs measurement system to automate import and export monitoring in ports and airports. This system will use artificial intelligence and connection with domestic and international databases to tackle smuggling and tax fraud.
Plans to educate FBR staff on these new technologies were also reviewed, with a phase roll -out set to begin with a pilot project in a larger city.
Key sectors such as cement, hatchery, poultry feed, tobacco and beverages will have stricter VAT monitoring, expansion of monitoring systems similar to those used in the sugar industry for tobacco, beverages, steel and cement sectors.
The Prime Minister emphasized that all measures are implemented quickly, efficiently and sustainably.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has put together a high -level political committee to oversee the implementation of the National Financial Pact.
The committee will also work to build consensus to share the debt burden between the federation and the provinces and coordinate the development of critical water infrastructure in the midst of Indian aggression.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be co-chair of the Eight Member Committee, according to instructions issued by the Prime Minister’s office.
According to the decision made after a meeting between PML-N and PPP in Lahore on Sunday, the other members include ministers for defense, planning, finance, financial affairs and law, and the lawyer of Pakistan (AGP).
