ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the digitization of the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and its improved enforcement mechanism are imperative to carry out economic reforms in the country. The Prime Minister, who chaired a meeting to review matters related to the FBR, directed the concerned authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to improve enforcement of the FBR, a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said. Calling FBR the backbone of the national economy, he lauded its transformation plan, saying better tax revenue would improve service delivery and the social sector. He called for consultation with major tax payers and all stakeholders on the FBR transformation plan and approval of amendments in coordination with relevant ministries for their effective implementation. The prime minister said that supporting the private sector is one of the government’s priorities and considers it inevitable for a strong economy. Directed third-party audit of FBR projects and accelerated efforts to curb smuggling. During the briefing, Prime Minister Shehbaz was told that the FBR’s transformation plan includes effective use of technology, awarding executive officers for improving tax revenue and improving enforcement of tax laws. The scheme formulated by the FBR officials and experts during the last 40 days would ensure tax collection without disrupting economic development and would also facilitate honest tax payers. It also imposes strict measures or transaction restrictions on those who fail to pay tax in full on time or those involved in fraud to prevent tax evasion. It said such measures would be introduced after consultation with good taxpayers. The meeting approved the Domestic Transformation Plan of FBR, which was formulated on the directives of the Prime Minister in consultation with economic and technological experts after analyzing the tax revenue of the last 25 years. In the first phase, efficient and competent officials would be stationed in Karachi, a large tax-paying unit contributing 32% of revenue, assisted by auditors and experts. The plan also includes a bonus for high-performing officers and a mandatory professional degree from leading universities for officers after their joint and specialized training programs. Participants were told that an assessment and enforcement mechanism was designed to curb customs evasion, a task assigned to assessors and inspectors without their prior knowledge, who would also be monitored by cameras. A sugar and whip policy would be enforced for customs inspectors and new checkpoints would be set up in partnership with the FWO to curb smuggling. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Abdul Aleem Khan and Dr. Musaddik Malik, Foreign Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, PM Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, State Bank Governor, Jameel Ahmed The meeting was attended by FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood Langrial and relevant senior officers.
