Islamabad, September 9, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to intensify efforts in identifying tax evaders by fully utilizing its workforce and, where necessary, engaging private-sector expertise.
Chairing a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review ongoing reforms within the tax machinery, Shehbaz emphasized the importance of building a business-friendly environment while providing maximum facilitation to compliant taxpayers.
The prime minister underscored that regular taxpayers are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, and therefore, honoring them must remain a priority. He instructed the FBR to expedite the completion of the Income Tax and Sales Taxpayers’ Directory, which will serve as a recognition tool for law-abiding citizens. At the same time, Shehbaz stressed that penalizing tax evaders is equally essential to broadening the tax base and ensuring fairness in the system.
To make enforcement more effective, Shehbaz ordered the hiring of professional services for tracing tax evaders and recovering unpaid revenues. He also called for a nationwide public awareness campaign to highlight the government’s initiatives against tax evasion, thereby encouraging voluntary compliance.
The meeting was informed that super auditors had already been deployed to scrutinize customs clearance procedures and strengthen the risk management system. In addition, a scientific auditing framework has been developed to detect under-invoicing and mis-declaration, with third-party reviews being conducted by top international audit firms. These measures are aimed at eliminating loopholes and improving transparency in revenue collection.
Shehbaz reiterated that while taxpayers must be honored, tax evaders cannot be allowed to weaken the country’s financial system. Federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervez Malik, along with senior officials, attended the meeting and expressed their support for the reforms agenda.