ISLAMABAD, May 5 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed swift and strict action against tax evasion, under-invoicing, and the sale of illegally manufactured cigarettes and other non-duty-paid goods across all sectors.
The prime minister issued these directives while chairing a high-level meeting to review the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) performance and ongoing efforts to reform the tax system.
The PM Office, in a press release, stated that the focus of the meeting was to remove barriers to effective tax collection and bring about structural changes in the taxation process.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the proposed amendments to the Income Tax Ordinance and Federal Excise Act are aimed at eliminating obstacles in tax recovery, while ensuring that honest taxpayers and compliant businesses are not harassed.
“These amendments are meant to protect law-abiding taxpayers while holding defaulters accountable,” the prime minister said, noting that reforms would ease tax payment procedures and broaden the tax base, thus reducing the financial burden on ordinary citizens.
The meeting was informed that FBR is actively adopting digital tools, including the Track and Trace system, to ensure greater transparency and compliance in tax collection.
Officials briefed the prime minister on actions against tax evasion in key industries such as tobacco, cement, sugar, poultry, and beverages. Video surveillance and digital monitoring have exposed irregularities, especially in the tobacco sector. The provinces have also been empowered to confiscate illegal tobacco products.
In addition, the FBR is setting up a dedicated monitoring system for the poultry sector to tighten oversight under its supervision.
Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, the FBR Chairman, and senior government officials attended the session.
