Karachi, March 21, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday lauded the successful recovery of windfall tax, emphasizing its significance in strengthening Pakistan’s economy.
PM Shehbaz extended his appreciation to Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, Chairman FBR Arshad Mehmood Langrial, and Secretary Finance Imdad Bosal, commending their collective efforts in ensuring the tax recovery.
The prime minister highlighted that the windfall tax recovery was a historic achievement, made possible by the hard work of legal and financial teams. He stressed that such strategic tax collection measures would contribute to stabilizing the economy and increasing government revenues.
“This substantial sum of Rs 34.5 billion, now deposited in the national exchequer, can be utilized for essential projects in health, education, and public welfare,” Shehbaz stated. “With continued steps like these, Pakistan will move toward economic self-sufficiency, InshaAllah.”
Court Rulings Pave Way for Windfall Tax Collection
The recovery of windfall tax became possible after the Lahore High Court lifted a stay order, allowing authorities to collect Rs 11.5 billion from banks. This came shortly after a similar verdict from the Sindh High Court, which led to an earlier recovery of Rs 23 billion.
With these legal victories, the total amount collected under the windfall tax in just one month stands at Rs 34.5 billion, significantly benefiting Pakistan’s financial stability.
This success, according to officials, reflects the vision of Shehbaz and his commitment to economic reforms. The prime minister had personally directed the Minister for Law, Minister for Finance, Attorney General, and FBR Chairman to ensure the best legal representation in courts regarding the windfall tax imposed under the Finance Act 2023.
Due to their collective efforts, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) successfully defended the tax in court, ensuring that banks paid their dues. The prime minister reiterated that such measures would continue, helping the country generate necessary revenues without overburdening the common citizen.
With ongoing economic reforms under Shehbaz’s leadership, authorities aim to strengthen tax collection mechanisms and enhance Pakistan’s financial independence.