- PM says that the maximum facilitation to provide honest taxpayers.
- Add a tax evasion to deal with strict legal action without any concession.
- Digital surveillance systems will be installed to limit smuggling.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the immediate and effective implementation of current reforms on Tuesday within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), with a strong objective on the digitization and automation of the tax system.
The Prime Minister, while presiding over a high -level exam meeting, underlined the need for decisive action to correct what he described as “70 years of mismanagement” in the tax system.
He said that if maximum facilitation would be provided to taxpayers and honest companies, the persons involved in tax evasion will be faced with strict legal action without any concession.
The Prime Minister recognized the efforts of the FBR and its application for support for improving tax revenue and appreciated their work as commendable.
The meeting examined the introduction of a national targeting system aimed at limiting the escape of the sales tax.
This system will use electronic labels and digital devices to follow vehicles carrying goods and will be supported by an E-Bilty mechanism published via the FBR system.
Digital surveillance systems will be installed on the main highways and the city’s entry points to reduce smuggling and save time for commuters.
The meeting was informed that a customs targeting system was also introduced into ports and airports to automate import and export monitoring.
The system will use artificial intelligence and will be integrated into national and international databases to combat smuggling and tax fraud.
Officials also informed the meeting on the plans to train FBR staff on new systems and described a progressive deployment starting with a pilot project in a large city.
Sectors such as cement, hatching, poultry foods, tobacco and drinks will be subject to stricter sales tax monitoring.
He added that surveillance mechanisms similar to those used in sugar industry were extended to tobacco, drinks, steel and cement sectors.
The Prime Minister has ordered that all measures be implemented quickly, effectively and sustainablely.