Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to intensify efforts against tax evasion, under-invoicing, and financial irregularities, particularly in sectors notorious for illicit trade such as tobacco and sugar.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the FBR’s performance, the prime minister stressed the need for urgent reforms to remove systemic inefficiencies in tax collection and overhaul outdated practices hindering revenue mobilisation.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting focused on strengthening the tax structure, simplifying procedures, and expanding the revenue base. The prime minister expressed full support for proposed amendments to the Income Tax Ordinance and the Federal Excise Act, aimed at improving tax recovery without placing undue burden on honest taxpayers.
“These reforms are designed to protect compliant taxpayers from unnecessary harassment while ensuring that those evading taxes face the full force of the law,” the premier said.
During the briefing, FBR officials outlined ongoing enforcement initiatives and highlighted the deployment of digital tools — including the Track and Trace system — to improve oversight in high-risk sectors such as tobacco, cement, poultry, sugar, and beverages.
Officials noted that video monitoring had led to the detection of major irregularities, especially in the tobacco and sugar sectors. The FBR is also working on establishing a dedicated monitoring framework for the poultry industry.
The prime minister called for strict action against sellers of untaxed or smuggled cigarettes and ordered stronger measures against hoarding and manipulation in the sugar sector. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making the tax system more transparent, efficient, and equitable.
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