FBR Faces Rs560B Shortfall in First Half FY26

ISLAMABAD: FBR has dropped a bomb on PM Shehbaz: H1 FY26 tax collection could miss by Rs560B even after target cut, risking spending freeze and IMF fury. FBR hopes Rs200B from pending court cases this month will shrink the hole to Rs362B vs revised Rs6.49T target — otherwise Rs562B gap. Against original Rs6.7T, shortfall could hit Rs775B. FBR begged Attorney General for fast-track rulings (super tax case now Dec), while Finance Ministry warned no deficit = spending cuts — IMF primary surplus non-negotiable. PM demanded 11% tax-to-GDP, praised Customs AI, ordered crackdown on illegal cigarettes, provincial cooperation, and refund release to OMCs — FBR begged for cash, denied.