Islamabad, April 25, 2024 – A high-level assessment team from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes concluded a significant two-day onsite visit to Pakistan, rigorously reviewing the country’s implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) protocols, particularly focusing on confidentiality and data safeguards.
The delegation, led by Gudrun Jenny Jonsdottir, Tax Policy Advisor at the OECD, included notable experts such as Jasmina Trajkovski Ruso, Technical Advisor for Information Security Management at the OECD, Toh Ginn Shyong, Senior Architect at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, and Ashwin Luckoo, Section Head at the Information Systems Department of the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
During their visit from April 24 to April 25, 2024, the team engaged in extensive discussions with key Pakistani officials, including Ms. Aisha Farooq, Director General (International Taxes), alongside representatives from Pakistan Revenue Automation Ltd (PRAL) and the IT Wing of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Ms. Aisha Farooq, in her opening address, warmly welcomed the assessment team and reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast dedication to adhering to international standards in the exchange of information for tax purposes. She emphasized the country’s commitment to not only participating in the global tax information exchange network but also ensuring the utmost confidentiality and security of the data exchanged.
The visit featured intensive sessions spread over three days involving FBR officials responsible for the oversight and management of Pakistan’s information security framework. The discussions aimed at evaluating the existing policies and procedures established by the FBR to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the data handled.
The OECD team’s agenda included tours of critical facilities such as the Data Center, Security Operations Centre, and the AEOI Centre at the FBR headquarters, as well as the AEOI Zone in Islamabad. These visits allowed the experts to directly observe the operational aspects of Pakistan’s data protection mechanisms.
A highlight of the visit was a joint session with the Member (IT) of the FBR and the DG (International Taxes), where the OECD delegation acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the FBR to meet its international obligations. The team noted Pakistan’s progress in strengthening its systems to safeguard sensitive financial information.
“The robustness of Pakistan’s information security practices plays a crucial role in our compliance with global standards, which ultimately enhances our international economic relationships,” stated Ms. Farooq during the closing session of the visit. She added that continuous improvements and regular assessments are key to ensuring that these standards are not only met but consistently exceeded.
The visit by the OECD team marks a critical step in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to align with international expectations and requirements in the field of tax information exchange. The findings and recommendations from this assessment will guide further enhancements to the country’s AEOI practices, reinforcing its position in the global financial community.
The OECD team is expected to compile a detailed report of their findings, which will provide additional insights and recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of Pakistan’s data protection measures in relation to the automatic exchange of tax information. This report will serve as a cornerstone for future actions to be taken by the FBR to uphold and possibly exceed international data security standards.
