Improving FBR's enforcement system need of hour: PM

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Friday said that improving the enforcement system of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is the need of the hour.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister regarding the affairs of the FBR, in which a detailed briefing was given on the FBR transformation plan.

The meeting discussed that the FBR plan includes a comprehensive strategy for the effective use of information technology, encouraging officers and staff to perform honestly to improve tax collection, includes a comprehensive strategy to improve enforcement of tax laws.

It was further informed in the briefing that this program has been compiled by FBR officers and experts in collaboration with the Chairman in the last 40 days.

Speaking on this occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that FBR is the backbone of the country's economy, and digitization of FBR is an important milestone in the economic reforms of the government.

He stated that the improvement in revenue will improve the provision of services to the people and the social sector. Improving the enforcement system of FBR is the need of the hour, a comprehensive strategy should be formulated to make the enforcement system of FBR more active.

Shehbaz Sharif praised the FBR transformation plan and that good taxpayers should be invited and their suggestions should be consulted on the FBR transformation plan.

He also directed further consultation with all relevant stakeholders regarding the FBR transformation plan and asked FBR to get approval for detailed changes in collaboration with relevant government departments to implement these proposals.

The Prime Minister added that the promotion of the private sector is one of the government's priorities as active and prosperous private sector is very important for the country's economy.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged to conduct a third-party audit of all the projects of FBR and also directed to speed up the measures regarding the prevention of smuggling.