Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, the immediate and effective implementation of ongoing reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) directed with a strong emphasis on digitization and automation of the tax system.
While he was chairman of a high -level target in Islamabad, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for crucial measures to correct what he described as “70 years of wrong management” in the tax system.
He assured that maximum relief would be expanded to honest taxpayers and businesses, while those involved in tax evasion would be subjected to strict litigation without concessions.
The Prime Minister also recognized the efforts of the FBR and its enforcement agencies to improve tax revenue and described their work as commendable.
The meeting reviewed the introduction of a national targeting system aimed at limiting revenue tax evasion. This system will use e-tags and digital devices to track vehicles transporting goods and will be supported by an e-Bilty mechanism issued through FBRS system. Digital monitoring systems will be installed on major highways and city input points to reduce smuggling and save time for commuters.
The meeting was informed that a customs measurement system was also introduced in ports and airports to automate the monitoring of import and export. The system will use artificial intelligence and integrate with domestic and international databases to combat smuggling and tax fraud.
The officials also informed the meeting of plans to train FBR staff on the new systems and outlined a phased roll -out that began with a pilot project in a larger city. Sectors such as cement, hatchery, poultry feed, tobacco and beverages will come under stricter VAT monitoring.
It added that surveillance mechanisms similar to those used in the sugar industry were expanded to tobacco, beverages, steel and cement.
The premiere instructed all measures to be implemented quickly, efficiently and in a sustainable way.
