ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to intensify the efforts to achieve the target of increasing tax-to-GDP ratio up to 11%.
Chairing a weekly review meeting regarding matters of FBR, the prime minister also instructed to further expand the tax net in order to meet the tax revenue targets.
He appreciated the FBR authorities for significantly reducing the duration of customs clearance through the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence, and directed to further reduce the duration of customs clearance of imports and exports.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also stressed to ensure the tax enforcement in all sectors of economy to increase the government revenues.
Appreciating the FBR authorities and law enforcing agencies for taking effective actions against the illegal cigarette manufacturing factories, the prime minister asked the provincial governments to continue their coordination with the FBR in taking measures against the tax evaders, and illegal factories. He also instructed to ensure timely payment of sales tax refunds.
During the meeting, the prime minster was briefed on the progress of tax revenue targets, digitization of economy, and measures taken against tax evaders.
It was informed in the meeting that multiple focal persons had been appointed by FBR and the Excise & Taxation Department to bring the tobacco sector across the country into the tax net.
It was further briefed that a large number of illegal cigarettes had recently been seized as a result of effective operations.
The prime minister was also briefed on the progress of pending tax cases in tribunals and various institutions.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, the Attorney General of Pakistan, the FBR Chairman, and senior officials from relevant institutions.