PM Shehbaz orders crackdown on tax evasion

The premier directed authorities to bring tax-eligible individuals and sectors into the net to boost revenue.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered a crackdown on tax evasion and directed authorities to bring tax-eligible individuals and sectors into the net, as part of efforts to boost revenue and ease the burden on ordinary citizens, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on tax revenue and reforms, the prime minister emphasised the urgent need to bring tax-eligible individuals and sectors into the tax net while also ordering accountability for officers and personnel found aiding tax evaders.

Chairing a review meeting on expanding the tax base, PM Shehbaz urged stringent action against both evaders and officials found aiding them, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

The premier lauded his economic team for progress toward achieving the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) targets for the current fiscal year. He said increasing the tax base remained a top government priority to reduce tax rates for the general public.

PM Shehbaz directed authorities to complete digital monitoring of the cement sector and other industries by next month. He also called for enhanced efforts to boost tax revenue from the tobacco sector in coordination with provincial governments.

He further instructed that pending tax-related cases be pursued vigorously to ensure recovery of public funds. “By the grace of Allah, the national economy is stable and moving toward growth,” the prime minister said, urging collective efforts for the country's development.

Officials briefed the meeting that full implementation of the Track and Trace System in cement plants had resulted in billions of rupees in additional tax revenue.

Tax collection from the sugar industry rose 35 per cent between November 2024 and April 2025 following adoption of the system. Reforms underway at the FBR are projected to bring tax revenue to 10.6 per cent of GDP, officials added.