FBR, businesses agree on joint tax facilitation committees

August 5, 2026 (MLN): The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has agreed to establish joint committees with leading business bodies to address taxpayer grievances, streamline tax processes, and strengthen engagement with the private sector, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The decision was taken during a meeting in Karachi between FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and high-level delegations of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), convened on the Prime Minister's instructions.

Under the agreed framework, committees comprising senior FBR officials and representatives of the business community will be constituted to expedite the resolution of pending issues, improve workflows, and institutionalize stakeholder consultations, according to the Press Release issued yesterday. 

The meeting also focused on reducing compliance hurdles, accelerating pending tax refunds, and addressing complaints of taxpayer harassment.

The FBR chairman directed tax officials to ensure fair treatment of taxpayers, emphasizing that harassment of legitimate businesses would not be tolerated. He also issued on-the-spot instructions on several issues raised by business representatives.

Both sides agreed to enhance transparency through greater interaction at the senior level, with continuous oversight by FBR's operations members and senior officials in Karachi.

Representatives of FPCCI and PBC welcomed the Prime Minister's initiative and expressed confidence that closer coordination between tax authorities and the private sector would improve the business environment and support economic growth.

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