PM Sharif Directs FBR Crackdown on Tax Evasion

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday commanded the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to mobilize its workforce and forge alliances with the private sector to pinpoint individuals and companies entangled in tax evasion.

Presiding over a high-level session scrutinizing FBR reforms, the prime minister underscored the imperative to cultivate a business-friendly environment and provide comprehensive facilities to taxpayers. He lauded regular taxpayers as the backbone of the national economy, directing the FBR to expedite the finalization of the Income Tax and Sales Taxpayers’ Directory to honor their pivotal role.

PM Sharif asserted that rewarding taxpayers while unleashing a relentless crackdown on evaders would exponentially expand the tax base. He advocated enlisting professional services for unmasking tax evasion, securing revenue recovery, and igniting a vigorous public awareness campaign to spotlight the government’s anti-evasion crusade.

The prime minister also spotlighted the urgency of deploying international auditors for third-party audits targeting mis-declaration and under-invoicing in customs clearance, insisting on perpetual reviews to unearth flaws and elevate system efficiency.

Officials updated the assembly that the Taxpayers’ Directory was advancing rapidly, with a cutting-edge scientific auditing system established for customs third-party audits. Elite “super auditors” have been tasked to rigorously evaluate customs clearance and risk management systems.

The gathering included federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervez Malik, and top brass from key institutions.