PM seeks speeding up of FBR overhaul

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set a new goal for his economic team on Sunday, urging it to expedite the transformation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

He was presiding over a review meeting on the FBR's track and trace system.

The transformation plan includes total digitisation and restructuring of the FBR to meet modern standards. The responsibility for overseeing the transformation project was delegated to the minister of state for finance.

During the meeting, the prime minister was presented with a detailed report on the track and trace system and the progress of FBR's digitisation. He directed immediate action against those responsible for deficiencies and irregularities in the track and trace system. He said reforms in FBR were necessary to improve the tax system of Pakistan.

Fast progress on the second phase of CPEC: PM

Separately, PM Shehbaz said work was progressing fast on the second phase of CPEC and there was positive momentum on further promotion of cooperation with China in different fields during the visit of Chinese experts to Pakistan.

He was speaking during a meeting here with a seven-member delegation of journalists who returned from an official visit to China undertaken on the invitation of the government institution China Public Diplomacy Association.

He said China was a sincere friend who helped Pakistan on every difficult occasion.

He urged that all stakeholders should rise above politics to work together on national development projects like CPEC.

He mentioned that he was personally monitoring the progress of the memorandums of understanding and agreements made during the visit.

He said Pakistan was taking all necessary steps to ensure the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan.