Islamabad (HRNW)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to accelerate tax reforms, complete measures within specified timelines and ensure third-party audits to improve transparency, effectiveness and sustainability.
During a weekly review meeting on FBR reforms, the prime minister was briefed on the restructuring of PRAL, digitalization of the tax system, efforts against smuggling and the development of IRIS 3.0. He said digitalization, product monitoring and automated systems are key pillars of the reform process.
The meeting was informed that work is underway on IRIS 3.0, a new tax operating model and a central data hub. Plans also include automated taxation and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve future tax collection.
Officials reported that faceless assessment in customs resulted in an average 12 percent increase in revenue during January-June 2026. The recruitment of 280 goods evaluators is also in its final stages.
Digital invoicing transactions increased from Rs236 billion in July 2025 to more than Rs2.5 trillion in July 2026, with a target of Rs4 trillion by December 2026.
The prime minister also directed authorities to intensify action against tax evasion and smuggling. Officials said 2,500 illegal petrol pumps had been closed through the Rah-Gazar app, while digital monitoring and GPS-based tracking of petroleum products are being expanded.
Shehbaz Sharif directed the FBR to complete all reform measures within the stipulated timeframe and ensure independent auditing while accelerating efforts to modernize the tax system, increase revenue collection and eliminate smuggling.
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