PM Orders Audit of FBR Reform Progress

Islamabad, June 2 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday ordered the hiring of internationally reputed firms to conduct third-party validation of reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), a bold move to boost transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s tax machinery, per the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement. During a high-level meeting to assess institutional reforms, he vowed to drive Pakistan toward economic stability with long-term structural changes. “Institutional reforms are advancing swiftly across sectors,” he declared, citing positive economic indicators.

He lauded the Faceless Customs Assessment System, a key reform curbing discretion in customs operations, which has boosted revenue and cut clearance times. Calling the results “encouraging”, he stressed its role in restoring public trust and easing business. The meeting reviewed Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) progress, with officials detailing a simplified digital tax return system in Urdu and local languages to widen tax compliance. PM Shehbaz urged sustained anti-evasion efforts, targeting under-invoicing and tax avoidance.

Attendees included Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, FBR Chairman, and senior officials. Web context highlights FBR’s reform push (e.g., 15% revenue rise, web ID: 0), while X posts show mixed views—some applaud transparency, others doubt implementation. Critically, the narrative of “progress” may mask systemic gaps—web sources note corruption risks, and X sentiment suggests skepticism about sustainability, hinting at ongoing challenges.