Former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Shabbar Zaidi has claimed that Lalukhet, a commercial area in Karachi, contributes more tax revenue than the entire city of Lahore, a remark that has stirred debate on social media and among economic observers.

Zaidi made the statement during a recent media discussion, where he argued that Karachi’s dense concentration of businesses, industrial activity and comparatively stronger tax compliance in certain markets explain the difference. The claim has since circulated widely in video clips and posts online.

Lalukhet — officially known as Liaquatabad — is one of Karachi’s busiest commercial and residential neighborhoods, hosting wholesale markets, small industries and retail hubs. Karachi is widely recognized as Pakistan’s largest economic center, home to major ports, financial institutions and manufacturing zones.

No official FBR breakdown comparing Lalukhet’s tax receipts directly with Lahore’s total revenue has been released alongside the viral clips. The figures referenced by Zaidi have not been accompanied by publicly available documentation.

The statement has nonetheless reignited discussion about regional revenue generation, tax compliance and fiscal policy. Some commentators have pointed to Karachi’s longstanding role as the country’s primary revenue contributor, while others have called for official data to verify the comparison.

The FBR has not issued a formal clarification in response to the circulating claim.