Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated he would rather resign than give in to pressure. He assured that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reforms will continue.
During his visit to the FBR headquarters, Shehbaz Sharif laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial and offered prayers.
He was briefed on the ongoing reforms in the FBR, focusing on a long-term digitization strategy. The briefing highlighted that all Pakistan Customs services are being updated to meet modern standards.
The first phase of the FBR’s trader-friendly mobile application is complete. This app allows for tax registration and submission from home. It was revealed that 4.9 million potential taxpayers have been identified.
The Prime Minister directed that these individuals be immediately added to the tax base. He also instructed the FBR Chairman to meet with flour mill owners to resolve their issues.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the FBR is crucial for the national economy, making its automation and digitization a top priority for the government.
He firmly told FBR officials he would resign before bowing to pressure, ensuring the continuation of FBR reforms. He stressed that national interest comes first and that mistakes will be corrected. He noted that the FBR Chairman recently gave a surprise regarding digitization but should have informed earlier if they had considered involving the foreign firm McKinsey.
He warned the FBR Chairman to disclose any more surprises immediately, as further concealment would not be tolerated.
