Islamabad, May 22, 2025 — In a bold and urgent move to ramp up tax revenue, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has sounded the alarm and issued fresh directives to its nationwide tax offices, calling for extended enforcement operations and late-night sittings on Saturday, May 31, 2025—a clear sign of intensifying efforts to meet its ambitious collection goals.
In a high-stakes office order, the FBR directed all Large Taxpayer Offices (LTOs), Medium Taxpayer Office (MTO), Corporate Tax Offices (CTOs), and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) to remain operational until 8:00 PM on the designated Saturday. This move, part of a sweeping set of enforcement measures, is aimed at turbocharging revenue collection before the fiscal year winds down.
Sources inside the revenue authority say the FBR is under immense pressure to close a gaping collection shortfall and meet its daunting commitment of Rs12.332 trillion in total revenue for the 2024-25 fiscal year—a promise made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of ongoing economic reforms.
The urgency is clear: The FBR has already suspended the Saturday holiday for Inland Revenue staff until June 30, 2025, underscoring the critical nature of this year-end collection push.
Yet amid the pressure, there are signs of resilience. The FBR recently reported a 30% month-on-month surge in tax collection for April 2025—surpassing the already impressive 28% growth recorded by March. This surge has propelled tax collection figures beyond last year’s full-year target of Rs9,300 billion, despite issuing Rs43 billion in refunds.
Officials say the extended hours and intensified enforcement reflect the FBR’s resolve to meet its obligations and close the fiscal year strong. With the stakes higher than ever, the tax machinery is shifting into overdrive, and for the FBR, collection isn’t just a goal—it’s a mission.
With taxpayers and officials now on high alert, all eyes are on FBR’s next moves as the fiscal year enters its critical phase.