Tue, 21-Oct-2025

PM expresses hope of achieving economic targets in next six months

PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed the hope that due to untiring efforts of the economic team, the government would achieve the economic targets in next six months.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, the prime minister noted that during first five months of current fiscal year, the remittances posted record $15 billion that he hoped would expand to $35 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

He said that the government managed to achieve the macro economic stability despite the fact that the opponents made no stone unturned to sabotage the efforts of the government.

Wishing the participants of the meeting happy new year, the prime minister said that the sun of 2025 will rise with the promise of progress and prosperity for Pakistan.

He prayed that the economic, political and law and order crises that the world faced in 2024 would be overcome by positive progress in the new year.

He said the ambitious homegrown five-year plan titled “Uraan Pakistan” that was launched yesterday would prove to be a milestone for the country’s future provided “we remain on track and work hard to achieve the goals set in the plan”.

He specifically appreciated the efforts of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and other cabinet members along with the relevant government officials.

He said having achieved economic stability, the country had now entered the growth stage. “If we want to achieve the economic development, then we will have to focus on export-led growth and we have no other option.

The prime minister also appreciate the efforts of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Finance Minister and Chairman FBR for collecting additional Rs 72 billion under ADR (advance-to-tax ratio) due to which the government’s target of tax revenue for December 2024 had almost been achieved.

Similarly, he said due to funding by the Bill Gates Foundation of $6 million, the digitization work of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would become completely digitized.

The early results of this project were that the 39% time duration of container inspection had been reduced while the businessmen got relief of 89%.

Additionally, he said smuggling of sugar through Afghanistan had been reduced to zero which was a positive sign for the country’s economy. He gave the credit of reducing the smuggling to Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanvir Hussain, the institutions and the Army Chief.

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FBR announces action against non-filers

FBR

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mahmood Langrial has categorically announced that action will be taken against those who do not submit tax returns.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State Ali Pervez Malik and Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial held a press conference in Islamabad.

While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial said that we have given notices to 190,000 people and 38,000 people have submitted 37.7 million tax returns.

He said action will be taken against those who did not submit the return and did not pay the tax.

Chairman FBR said that Pakistan’s tax gap is Rs. 7100 billion and income tax gap is Rs. 2400 billion. He said FBR is digitizing the invoicing process and the focus is on the top 5 percent people.

He said FBR is directly looking at the sugar mills and several mills caught on flying invoices in Punjab.

Speaking at the press conference, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that we have to fix the tax system on a permanent basis and there is a total additional tax potential of RS 71 billion.

He said that technology is very important in tax collection AND transparency has to be brought in the system to prevent tax evasion. He added that human intervention in tax collection of FBR is being reduced.

Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervez Malik said in the press conference that we have to have a partnership with the International Monetary Fund(IMF) and we want standard.

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ADB Country Director meets Chairman FBR

ADB Country

ISLAMABAD: The Country Director Asian Development Bank (ADB) Ms. Emma Fan called on Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mahmood Lagrial  at FBR headquarters.

During the meeting, they discussed the progress on ADB funded projects and various other areas of mutual cooperation, said a news release.

Chairman FBR apprised about the Transformation Plan which envisages making FBR more dynamic, modern and in line with the international standards.

The chairman said that the purpose of reforms was to maximise revenue growth while facilitating tax compliance.

The Country Director expressed support for FBR’s initiatives and reiterated the ADB’s resolve to continue supporting the revenue mobilisation efforts in Pakistan.

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FBR extends filing income tax returns date  

FBR announces tax exemptions for overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the date for filing income tax returns till October 14.

Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial chaired a meeting in which it was decided to extend the date of filing income tax returns.

According to sources, the date for filing income tax return has been extended till October 14.

A notification has been issued to extend the date of filing of income tax returns till October 14, which states that the extension is in response to the demands of trade bodies and tax bar associations.

On the other hand, FBR has fulfilled the tax target for September. The tax target of 1098 billion for September increased to 1100 billion.

According to sources, more than 3.5 million people have filed income tax returns so far, doubling the number of people filing tax returns compared to the same period last year.

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Tajir Dost Scheme will not be reverted: Chairman FBR

Tajir Dost

KARACHI: Chairman Federal Board of Revenue(FBR) Rashid Mahmood Langrial said that Tajir Dost Scheme would not be reverted and all steps would be taken for its fair and meaningful implementation.

He said that in a meeting today afternoon with traders at FBR House Islamabad pertaining to implementation of Tajir Dost Scheme, TDS.

The meeting was also attended by traders from Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala on video link. Prime Minister’s Chief Coordinator on Tajir Dost Scheme Naeem Mir and Abdur Rehman Khan from Karachi were also present in the meeting.

The Chairman initiated the meeting by inviting the traders for putting forth their reservations and recommendations for successful accomplishment of the TDS۔

The participant traders, in reply, presented their apprehensions and recommendations. The chairman assured the traders that their justified demands would be fullfilled.

.”Pakistan is amongst the only few countries in the world where retailers and wholesalers donot pay any tax” said the Chairman while highlighting the lowered tax statistics in the country.

In reply to a query pertaining to market rates, the Chairman replied that market rates would be looked into in such a manner so that equitable tax collection be made from big and small traders. ” We donot want to burdenise the small traders” clarified the Chairman in reply to a question.

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Federal Govt assigns more responsibilities to FBR chairman

FBR chairman

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has assigned more responsibilities to the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

According to the notification, Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial has been assigned the additional charge of Secretary Revenue and he will also perform these additional duties for three months or permanently.

According to the sources, it was necessary to give the responsibilities of Revenue Secretary to Chairman FBR for full powers and former Chairman Amjad Zubair also had the charge of Revenue Secretary as Chairman FBR.

It should be noted that the federal government had appointed Rashid Mahmood Langrial as the chairman of FBR yesterday, he was performing the duties of energy secretary while the former chairman of FBR has taken premature retirement.

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Senate approves travel ban for non-filers

Senate

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance approved the proposal to ban non-filers from traveling abroad.

The meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Finance was chaired by Chairman Saleem Mandviwala. The committee approved the proposal to ban foreign travel of non-filers.

Chairman FBR said that action will be taken against those who do not file tax return under Income Tax General Order. Hajj, Umrah, young children, students and overseas Pakistanis holding the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)with will be exempted.

According to Chairman FBR, non-filer mobile SIM, electricity and gas connections will also be disconnected.

Farooq H. Naik said that the ban on non-filer’s travel abroad should be considered as being in the exit control list.

Chairman FBR said that the rate of withholding tax on non-filers is also high, the mobile SIM and business of non-filers can also be closed, in the list of 500,000 non-filers, there are people with annual income of more than two million.

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FBR gives top priority to development of legal trade in Balochistan: Chairman Ashfaq

FBR chairman

Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed has said that the development of legal trade in Balochistan is one of the board’s top priorities. “All resources are being utilised to provide facilities to those involved in industry and commerce,” he said. Read more: Minister assures reforms for economic stability “Quetta Chamber of Commerce … Read more

FBR unveils software for expeditious process of sales tax returns

FBR Draw list

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a pilot run of IDEA software for expeditious processing of the sales tax returns, Dr Aftab Imam, chief commissioner of the Inland Revenue, Corporate Tax Office (CTO) Karachi, said on Tuesday. “To quickly process the sales tax returns being submitted in huge quantities every month by … Read more

FBR unveils software for expeditious process of sales tax returns

FBR Draw list

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a pilot run of IDEA software for expeditious processing of the sales tax returns, Dr Aftab Imam, chief commissioner of the Inland Revenue, Corporate Tax Office (CTO) Karachi, said on Tuesday. “To quickly process the sales tax returns being submitted in huge quantities every month by … Read more

FBR’s automation a must for taxpayers facilitation: Tarin

FBR Draw list

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin has emphasised on the importance of automation for taxpayers’ facilitation, administrative efficiency and transparency. Chairing a meeting on automation at the Federal Board Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday, the adviser was apprised about the progress made on the automation initiatives, data centre upgradation and … Read more

Govt, stakeholders review SME Policy

Shaukat Tarin

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin has chaired a meeting to review the proposed Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Policy, a statement issued by the Finance Ministry said. The Industries and Production secretary briefed the meeting on the proposed SME Policy and the concerns of stakeholders. The concerns were … Read more

FBR raises sales tax rates on high-speed diesel, kerosene

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday notified an increase in the sales tax on high-speed diesel (HSD) and kerosene. The FBR also increased the sales tax on light diesel oil. However, the rate of sales tax has been brought down to zero per cent on petrol. The revenue body issued SRO 1579 … Read more

Senate committee asks FBR to revoke revaluation of properties SRO

FBR

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to revoke the recent SRO issued on the revaluation of properties and urged the officials to determine the value of immovable properties in consultation with the relevant stakeholders in 15 days. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee was held … Read more

FBR’s system glitches deny NPO, trust to change status

FBR

KARACHI: Errors in the online system of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are denying applications for processing the change of status from the association of persons (AOPs) to non-profit organization (NPO) or a trust. To resolve the issue, the Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) wrote a letter on December 3, 2021 to the FBR … Read more

FBR gears up to broaden tax base; action against defaulters on the cards

FPCCI calls FBR provisions disappointing

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with the help of the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) will broaden the tax base and take action against the non-taxpayers who are paying no or very nominal taxes. In this regard, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin chaired a meeting on broadening … Read more

FBR forms committee for simplification of tax laws

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has constituted a review committee for simplification of the tax laws with the objective to harmonise the existing laws. A notification issued on Friday said the FBR is currently undertaking the drafting of the Inland Revenue Code for simplification of the tax laws administered by the Federal Board … Read more

Chairman FBR: Revenue increased by 41% over the prior financial year

FBR

The chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance that revenues have increased by 41% over the previous financial year. A meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance of the National Assembly was held under the chairmanship of Faizullah Kamuka. The Chairman FBR said that with … Read more

Govt perturbs bureaucracy by appointing new FBR chairman

fbr

LAHORE: The recent decision of the federal government to change the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman for the seventh time during the PTI-led government has perturbed the bureaucracy in Pakistan, BOL News learnt on Wednesday. A senior bureaucrat told BOL News that the government should have appointed Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmad, a Grade-21 officer, … Read more

Tarin concerned over consistent rise in edible oil, ghee prices

CPEC ushers in new era of economic prosperity Tarin

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin expressed concern over the consistent rise in the prices of edible oil/ghee in domestic markets over the period of time. In a meeting with the delegation of Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA), the finance minister urged PVMA to adopt market-based solutions and bring down prices in … Read more

FBR urged to notify simplified return forms for SME taxpayers

FBR

KARACHI: The tax practitioners have demanded the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to notify simplified return forms for the Small and Medium Enterprises. In a letter to FBR chairman Asim Ahmad on Monday, the Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) said the taxpayers of SMEs are facing difficulties due to unavailability of the registration feature and … Read more

Tarin lauds FBR for record tax collection in July

Shaukat Tarin Budget speech

ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Shaukat Tarin has commended the tax authorities over record revenue collection of Rs413 billion during July 2021, showing a growth of 21 per cent against the set target for the month. Chairing a meeting of the apex committee on broadening the tax base and integration of retail businesses, held … Read more

FBR cuts sales tax on petroleum products to keep prices stable

FBR

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday notified a reduction in the sales tax rates on petroleum products.

The FBR issued SRO 726(I)/2021 to comply with the decision of the government for keeping the petroleum, oil lubricant (POL) prices intact by absorbing a hike in the prices through downward adjustment in the sales tax rates.

The sales tax rate on kerosene has been slashed to 10.07 percent from the earlier rate of 15.44 percent. Similarly, the sales tax rate on light diesel oil has been reduced to 3.67 percent from the previous level of 7.56 percent.

However, the sales tax rates on petrol and high-speed oil have been kept unchanged at 17 percent.

On May 31, 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan had decided to maintain the prices of petroleum products to the level of May 17, 2021. The government has not increased the prices of petroleum products since April 16, 2021, by adjusting sales tax and petroleum levy so that there is no corresponding increase in the prices of the essential items and provide maximum relief to the common man.

From July 1, 2019, the government had imposed a flat sales tax rate of 17 percent through SRO 700(I)/2019. However, the first amendment was made through SRO 551(I)/2021 issued on May 09, 2021. The second amendment has been made with the latest notification.

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Government decides to appoint Asim Ahmed as new Chairman FBR

Asim Ahmed

On Friday, the Federal Government has decided to appoint Asim Ahmed as the new chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). According to the details, sources said that the federal cabinet has given approval for his appointment. Asim Ahmed, who is from the Inland Revenue group, is currently serving as Member Information Technology (IT). … Read more

PM Directs To Send Notices To Sugar Mill Owners For Evading Taxes Worth Billions

Rs4.143 Trillion Revenue Collected In First 11 Months OF Current FY

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to issue notices to the owners of sugar mills involved in tax evasion. During the meeting of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Islamabad, the Prime Minister expressed frustration over the non-amendment of the law on concealment of tax details. The Prime Minister said that it was a … Read more

Taxpayers Are Benefactors Of Pakistan Who Deserve A Tribute: PM

PM Imran Khan twitter overseas Pakistanis

Prime Minister Imran Khan has termed the country’s taxpayers as deserving of tribute and said that they are benefactors of Pakistan. The Prime Minister was briefed on tax reforms in Islamabad. According to a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s House, the meeting was informed that tax collections have exceeded Rs 2,205 billion during the … Read more

Overseas Pakistanis are asset of country: PM Imran Khan

Comprehensive plan for sewerage, drainage & clean water being prepared for Karachi

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that overseas Pakistanis are the most valuable assets of the country and the nation. According to details, a meeting on the country’s economy was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan. [embedpost id=”50366″ slug=”imran-khan-saved-rs2344-billion-of-poor-people-in-2-years-shibli-faraz”] The meeting was attended by Finance Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeet Sheikh, Special Assistant … Read more