Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the immediate and effective implementation of current reforms on Tuesday within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), strongly emphasizing the digitization and automation of the tax system.
While presiding over a high -level exam meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister stressed the need for decisive measures to correct what he described as “70 years of poor management” in the tax system.
He assured that maximum facilitation would be extended to taxpayers and honest companies, while the persons involved in tax evasion will be confronted with strict legal action without any concession.
The Prime Minister also recognized the efforts of the FBR and its law enforcement agencies in the improvement of tax revenue, describing their work as commendable.
The meeting examined the introduction of a national targeting system aimed at limiting the escape of the sales tax. This system will use electronic labels and digital devices to follow vehicles carrying goods and will be supported by an E-Bilty mechanism published via the FBR system. Digital surveillance systems will be installed on the main highways and the city’s entry points to reduce smuggling and save time for commuters.
The meeting was informed that a customs targeting system was also introduced into ports and airports to automate import and export monitoring. The system will use artificial intelligence and will be integrated into national and international databases to combat smuggling and tax fraud.
Officials also informed the meeting on the plans to train FBR staff on new systems and described a progressive deployment starting with a pilot project in a large city. Sectors such as cement, hatching, poultry foods, tobacco and drinks will be subject to stricter sales tax monitoring.
He added that surveillance mechanisms similar to those used in sugar industry were extended to tobacco, drinks, steel and cement sectors.
The Prime Minister has ordered that all measures be implemented quickly, effectively and sustainablely.
