Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has achieved approximately 95% of its tax collection target for the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year and is now focusing on measures to meet the revised target for the second half.
FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial on Thursday chaired a meeting with Chief Commissioners of Inland Revenue, Chief Collectors of Customs, and FBR members overseeing Inland Revenue and Customs operations to discuss strategies for bridging the remaining shortfall.
The revised tax collection target for the first half of the fiscal year was PKR 13,979 billion, down from the original target of PKR 14,307 billion. The shortfall of PKR 328 billion prompted discussions on administrative actions, recovery of pending revenue, and enforcement measures, including resolution of pending court cases.
During the meeting, officials also reviewed potential additional revenue measures, such as raising excise duties on fertilisers and pesticides, imposing excise taxes on high-value sugary items, and expanding the sales tax base by moving certain items to the standard rate.
Provisional tax collection for December 2025 was reported at PKR 1,425 billion, slightly below the monthly target of PKR 1,446 billion. Overall, total tax collected from July to December 2025 reached PKR 6,169 billion, reducing the shortfall to PKR 336 billion from the previously projected PKR 564 billion.
The meeting highlighted the efforts of FBR Member Inland Revenue (Operations) Zubair Bilal in driving revenue generation and mitigating the shortfall. Officials said the tax authority is focused on ensuring that the revised target is fully met by March 2026.
In a related update, the government has ruled out a mini-budget, noting that the FBR’s performance in the first half has brought tax collections close to the assigned targets. Sources confirmed that no new revenue measures, bills, or ordinances are under consideration for January 2026.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb praised the FBR for its performance, acknowledging the progress made in the first half of the fiscal year.
The FBR also reported achieving 98.3% of its December 2025 collection target, further reflecting the agency’s steady revenue recovery efforts.
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