Govt moves to expand tax base, target evasion

May 14, 2025 (MLN): To broaden the tax base and tackle evasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to take firm action against individuals and sectors avoiding taxes.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on revenue generation, he emphasized that all capable taxpayers must be brought into the net to ensure a fair and efficient taxation system.

The Prime Minister also ordered strict accountability of officials found aiding tax evaders, according to a statement issued by the PM Office.

Commending the performance of the economic team, he noted that their efforts were driving steady progress toward meeting the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) targets for the ongoing fiscal year.

Highlighting the government’s strategy, the premier reiterated that expanding the tax base is vital to reducing the burden on ordinary citizens through lower tax rates.

He issued instructions for completing digital monitoring of the cement industry and other sectors by the end of next month, according to the press release.

He further called for stepped-up efforts, in collaboration with provincial governments, to enhance revenue collection from the tobacco sector.

Additionally, the Prime Minister directed concerned departments to actively pursue all pending tax cases to recover public funds efficiently.

Expressing confidence in the country's economic trajectory, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan’s economy is stable and progressing toward sustainable growth, attributing this progress to collective national efforts.

During the briefing, it was revealed that the nationwide application of the Track and Trace System at cement plants has led to a significant boost in tax revenues.

A similar implementation in the sugar sector resulted in a 35% increase in tax collection between November 2024 and April 2025.

Officials also shared that tax reforms underway at the FBR are expected to bring tax revenue up to 10.6% of the country’s GDP.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, the Chairman of the FBR, and other senior officials.

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