PM orders tax refund clearance by June 15

June 02, 2026 (MLN): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured the country's business community that the government will maintain its focus on policies aimed at strengthening economic growth, promoting exports, and encouraging industrial expansion, while directing the tax authorities to settle all outstanding tax refund claims by June 15.

The commitment came during a meeting with a delegation comprising representatives from chambers of commerce and industry from across Pakistan, where participants discussed proposals related to the upcoming federal budget and measures to enhance economic development.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the government had succeeded in restoring economic stability and would continue implementing reforms to accelerate growth, according to the press release.

He stressed that industrialization and higher production levels were vital for sustainable economic progress and indicated that additional measures to support businesses would be announced in the forthcoming budget.

Sharif reiterated that expanding exports remains a key pillar of the government's economic strategy, emphasizing the need for close collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve long-term growth objectives.

To address concerns raised by business leaders, the prime minister instructed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure that all pending tax refund cases are resolved by June 15.

He also welcomed the decision of commercial banks to maintain financing under the Export Finance Scheme at 4.5% until June 2027 despite the recent increase in the policy rate, describing the move as a positive step for the export sector.

In a separate directive aimed at improving business facilitation, Sharif ordered the relocation of the headquarters of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited to Karachi, recognizing the city's role as the country's commercial center.

Responding to demands from both overseas Pakistanis and the business community, the prime minister also instructed the relevant authorities to establish a passport office in Gujrat.

Highlighting the government's priorities, Sharif said reforms and incentives for the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector would remain a central component of the economic agenda. He also encouraged local investors to explore joint ventures and partnerships for the domestic production of electric vehicles.

Representatives of the business community expressed confidence in the government's economic direction and pledged continued cooperation in efforts to boost investment, expand economic activity, and create employment opportunities.

The delegation also welcomed recent initiatives undertaken by the government, including reforms related to the Export Development Fund Board, the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines, the ongoing digital transformation of the FBR, and the implementation of electronic invoicing systems.

Business leaders further assured the government of their support in bringing undocumented economic activities into the formal sector through digitization and regulatory reforms.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and representatives from chambers of commerce in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Quetta, Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Sialkot, along with federal ministers, economic policymakers, senior FBR officials, and the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan.

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