Minister Mujtaba vows to achieve targets without burdening taxpayers

LAHORE, Jul 07 (APP):Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said on Tuesday that complete digitalization of the tax system would be ensured during the current financial year. Transparency, effective enforcement, and improved collection of existing taxes will remain the government’s key priorities.

Addressing the Annual Strategic Conference organized by Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) here, he added, Punjab government will achieve its revenue targets in the new fiscal year without imposing any additional burden on taxpayers. Zero-tolerance policy will be adopted against fake invoicing and tax evasion and tax defaulters will be convinced to fulfill their tax obligations, while unregistered businesses will be brought into the tax net through registration.

PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Supra, Board Members, and senior officers and officials of the PRA attended the conference.

Congratulating Punjab Revenue Authority on achieving Rs. 368 billion in revenue collection during FY 2025-26, with an exceptional 36 percent annual growth, the Provincial Minister said that PRA has achieved a remarkable milestone by collecting Rs. 97 billion more in taxes than fiscal year 2024-25. He appreciated the outstanding performance of the Authority and congratulated the entire PRA team on this achievement.

Provincial Minister said, that increase in Punjab’s own-source revenues represents significant progress towards reducing dependence on the federal government and reflects the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He added that tax reforms are not aimed solely at increasing revenue; rather, the Punjab Government is actively working to promote transparency in the tax system and eliminate corruption. He emphasized that higher revenues translate into better public services. The Government is utilizing taxpayers’ money to improve healthcare and education facilities, provide essential infrastructure for businesses, and implement public welfare projects.

The Finance Minister further stated that public cooperation is essential for eliminating corruption from the tax system. He urged citizens to always demand a proper receipt while making payments and to discourage businesses which refuse to issue e-bills or accept digital payments. During the new fiscal year, he said, institutional capacity of the PRA would be further strengthened and the use of modern technology expanded to make enforcement more effective.

During the conference, the Punjab Finance Minister also distributed certificates of appreciation among officers and officials of the Punjab Revenue Authority in recognition of their outstanding performance.

Addressing the ceremony, PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Supra said that PRA had achieved the highest tax collection in its history during FY 2025-26, attributing this success to the Authority’s effective strategy, digital reforms, and teamwork. He stated that the implementation of the electronic tax system is playing a key role in eliminating corruption from the tax administration.

He added that further reforms during the current fiscal year would ensure greater transparency in the tax system and enhance the institutional capacity of the Authority. He emphasized that achieving the prescribed revenue targets is not possible without reforms and transparency, as taxpayers’ confidence in state institutions remains the cornerstone of a successful tax system.