NA body reviews export facilitation scheme

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue here on Tuesday reviewed the performance and proposed reforms of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), progress on the implementation of the Tajir Dost Scheme, and the economic implications of border closures.

According to press release issued here, the committee deliberated on key issues relating to the country’s economic and fiscal policies.

During the discussion on the Export Facilitation Scheme, committee members sought a comprehensive briefing on its financial utilisation, operational mechanism, eligibility criteria and contribution towards enhancing Pakistan’s exports.

Members raised concerns over the alleged misuse of the facility and questioned its effectiveness in the absence of a corresponding increase in overall export figures. They stressed that the scheme’s performance should be evaluated on the basis of verifiable data demonstrating its actual contribution to export growth.
On the occasion, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani informed the committee that the EFS was designed to facilitate exporters by reducing the cost of imported raw materials used in the production of goods intended for export.
He assured members that a detailed presentation covering the scheme’s performance, financial utilisation, impact on exports, eligibility criteria and proposed reforms would be submitted at the next meeting.

The committee also reviewed progress on the implementation of the Tajir Dost Scheme and expressed concern over the lower-than-anticipated response from retailers, despite extensive consultations with trade organisations and business representatives.

The Minister of State informed the committee that the deadline for filing returns under the scheme had expired on October 31, and the government was preparing to move towards the enforcement phase. He explained that retailers failing to comply with the scheme would be liable to penalties, in addition to their statutory obligation to file tax returns.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to broadening the tax base and ensuring implementation of the scheme.
The committee was further informed that consultations had been held with the Attorney General for Pakistan and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure the legal and procedural soundness of the proposed enforcement measures. The detailed enforcement plan would be finalised and subsequently submitted to the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the committee deferred consideration of The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2026 until its next meeting.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, Syed Sami ul Hassan Gillani, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Dr Nafisa Shah, Muhammad Jawed Hanif Khan, Shahida Begum and Dr Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui, who participated virtually.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani also attended as a special invitee while senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law and Justice, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) were also present.