Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the creation of a modern, world-class digital ecosystem within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s tax system and eliminating the informal economy.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on ongoing FBR reforms in Islamabad, the PM directed the engagement of globally renowned digital and tax system experts to ensure the development of a comprehensive and integrated framework.
“Mere digitization is not enough. We need a robust and complete digital ecosystem that connects every stage -- from raw material procurement and imports to manufacturing and final sale to consumers,” said PM Shehbaz.
The meeting was attended by key figures, including federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Cheema, Bilal Azhar Kayani, the FBR chairman, and leading economic experts such as Mosharraf Zaidi.
During the session, officials briefed the prime minister on the proposed digital ecosystem that will connect all FBR data to a centralized system, enabling real-time monitoring of the entire value chain.
PM Shehbaz stressed that this digital infrastructure must be capable of providing real-time insights into the flow of goods and finances across sectors, making it easier to track transactions, combat tax evasion, and support evidence-based economic policy decisions.
“The data gathered through this system should inform strategic decisions to increase the tax base, formalize the economy, and ultimately reduce the tax burden on the common man,” he added.
Shehbaz that the fruits of ongoing FBR reforms are already beginning to reflect positively on the economy, and expressed confidence that a fully functional digital system would be a game-changer for revenue generation and economic governance.
