PM pledges revenue target achievement via FBR reforms

Lahore: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday the government is determined to achieve revenue collection targets through reforms and necessary legislation in Federal Board of Revenue.

He was addressing a ceremony in Lahore today, to honor the officers of Federal Board of Revenue who rendered commendable services for revenue collection.    

The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to make necessary legislation to ensure that only competent and diligent officials get promoted to senior positions.

He said revenue collection is one of the biggest challenges in Pakistan and through fair and competent officers this issue will be resolved.

Shehbaz Sharif said, “today we have acknowledged and honored those officials who have rendered their best services to collect the revenue,”.                    

He said the government fulfilled its promise of reforms in FBR and strict action would be taken against incompetent officials and those involved in corruption or supporting it.                                          

The Prime Minister said tax related claims worth 2,700 billion rupees are pending in different courts and a law has been made in this regard to expedite such cases.

He said once ratified by President the law would be put to implementation.

Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif distributed shields among capable officers for their excellent performance.

He also announced cash prizes for and hardworking officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb said that weaknesses in tax collection system have been identified and efforts are being made to improve it.

He said out of three million industrial and commercial electricity and gas connections, only two lakh are registered for sales tax.

Addressing the ceremony, Chairman FBR, Amjad Zubair Tiwana said that measures have been taken to improve performance of institution.

He said that all-out efforts are being made to collect revenue with honesty and integrity.