Islamabad: In a key development aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s economy, Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to abandon traditional practices and adopt modern, effective, and strict measures to increase tax collection across the country. The instructions were issued during an emergency meeting chaired by the prime minister to review the performance of the tax authority and address weaknesses in the current tax system.
During the meeting, the prime minister stressed that decisive action must be taken against tax evasion without yielding to any political or external pressure. He instructed FBR officials to ensure strict enforcement of tax laws and emphasized that improving revenue collection is impossible unless the institution itself becomes transparent, efficient, and free from corruption.
Shehbaz Sharif further highlighted that Pakistan’s long-term economic stability depends on strengthening domestic revenue generation. He said that reducing dependence on foreign loans is only possible if the country significantly improves its tax collection system and broadens the tax base.
The prime minister also directed authorities to bring influential individuals and businesses that remain outside the tax net under the legal framework. He ordered the immediate removal of all administrative and procedural hurdles that hinder effective revenue collection.
Emphasizing the urgency of reforms, the prime minister told officials that increasing tax revenue is the only sustainable path toward economic recovery and financial independence for Pakistan.
