On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shaybaz Sharif urged urgent and aggressive steps to expand the Tax Network in Pakistan, where the Federal Revenue Council (FBR) missed the target of revenue by 831 billion rupees in the first ten months of the fiscal year, due primarily due to low import and low standard inflation.
Chairing a high -level review meeting on the expansion of the tax base and reinforcing revenues, the Prime Minister stressed the need to bring all individuals and sectors capable of the tax network and take strict measures against tax evaders. He said, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office: “Individuals and sectors that are able to pay taxes must be entered into the tax network.” He also ordered a constant accountability for tax officials who were found to support evasion.
The meeting was held against the background of the financial challenges that escalated. FBR 9,299 trillion rupees in July – April of the fiscal year collected 25 against a goal worth 10.130 trillion rupees, and lost the brand by 831 billion rupees. In April alone, FBR scored FBR revenues of 846 billion rupees, as it decreased by 117 billion rupees of the monthly target of 963 billion rupees.
Despite the total deficiency, the income tax collection offered a silver lining, reaching 479 trillion rupees, which exceeded its goal of 4.152 trillion rupees by 327 billion rupees, indicating annual growth by 28 % over the past year 3.505 trillion rupees.
The sales tax performance was weaker. The total of 3.174 trillion rupees against a goal of 3,948 trillion rupees, which reflects a shortage of 774 billion rupees – although it still represents an increase of 27 % over last year 2.498 trillion rupees.
The performance of customs duties was also weak, as it lost 1.271 trillion rupee trillion by 228 billion rupees, with actual groups worth 1.043 trillion rupees. However, it still grew by 17 % from the previous year at a value of 894 billion rupees. The Federal Dose (FED) has brought 603 billion rupees, less than its target of 759 billion rupees at 156 billion rupees, although 33 % growth over 453 billion rupees last year.
FBR also issued 427 billion rupees in the amounts recovered during a period of 10 months, an increase of 1.18 % over 422 billion rupees last year. The refunds in April remained fixed at 43 billion rupees, almost similar to the previous year.
The Prime Minister praised the government’s economic team for his efforts in difficult circumstances. He said: “With the grace of God, the national economy is stable and moves towards growth.” He reiterated that the expansion of the tax base was vital to reducing the burden on ordinary citizens by eventually reducing their tax rates.
To address regular incompetence, HEHBAZ commanded completing the digital monitoring of cement and other sectors by next month. The authorities also directed the intensification of efforts in the tobacco sector, and to work jointly with the provincial governments. He added that the legal cases related to the tax are awaiting the restoration of state revenues.
During the briefing, it was revealed that the track and tracking system, which works completely in cement factories throughout Pakistan, has led to a significant increase in billions of rupees. The system of the sugar industry also resulted in strong results, which strengthened tax receipts by 35 % between November 2024 and April 2025.
The meeting also dealt with reviews from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which recently reduced the goal of FBR revenues in Pakistan for the 2015 fiscal year from 12,913 rupees to 123333333333 rupees – an amount of 580 billion rupees attributed to slowdown in import taxes, weak manufacturing activity, and involving.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers, Azad Nazir Tarar, Muhammad Uranzib, one of Khan Cheima, Attallah Tarar, Chairman of the Board of FBR, and other officials.
