Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting on the digitization and reforms of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), emphasizing citizen convenience, especially for the salaried and lower-income segments, as the cornerstone of the government’s tax strategy.

During the meeting, the PM welcomed the development of simplified tax returns in Urdu, calling it a "people-friendly move" aimed at improving accessibility for the general public. He further directed that digital invoicing should also be launched in Urdu, and a dedicated helpline be set up to assist taxpayers during the filing process.

“The salaried class will benefit the most from the new simplified tax returns. Our focus is to make the system easier, more transparent, and inclusive,” said Shehbaz.

He also stressed the importance of third-party validation to ensure transparency in the FBR reform process, and called for returns to be digital, concise, and integrated with a central database.

AI to enhance tax calculations

In a major development, the premier announced that for the first time in Pakistan, tax calculations will be assisted by an AI-powered assessment system, terming it a “remarkable success” in modernizing tax administration and boosting revenue collection.

Support for SMEs and awareness campaign

Shehbaz Sharif also instructed special facilitation measures for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to reduce compliance burdens and encourage voluntary tax participation.

To ensure broader understanding and uptake, the PM directed the launch of a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the simplified tax filing process.

“The positive results of tax reforms are a reflection of the hard work of the finance Minister nnd the broader economic team,” he added, reiterating his government's commitment to increasing the tax base while reducing the burden on the poor.

The meeting was attended by senior federal ministers, including Ahad Cheema, Atta Tarar, Ali Pervez Malik, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Kayani.