PM Issues Final Warning Against FBR Corruption

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a final warning on Monday against corruption within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), according to reports. Addressing a weekly review meeting on FBR reforms, the prime minister emphasized the need for faceless systems in tax collection, improved transparency, accountability, training, and the utilization of technology.

PM Sharif stated that officers and staff displaying positive conduct and performance should be given a chance to reform. However, those persisting in corruption and poor performance would not be tolerated, the source reported. The meeting was informed that Pakistan's estimated tax gap had decreased from 6 percent to 5 percent of the gross domestic product over the past three years.

The appointment of 957 third-party auditors had quadrupled the FBR's audit capacity. The prime minister directed the tax authority to persist in enhancing its capacity to reduce the tax gap and ensure the ongoing reforms yield results.