Islamabad, April 18, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to work with “unwavering commitment and full dedication” to help make Pakistan a debt-free nation. His remarks came while launching a new Performance Management System for FBR officers at a ceremony in Islamabad.
“If we want to move away from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), we must work hard to increase our revenues,” the prime minister said, underlining the need for robust institutional reforms and better tax collection.
He praised the FBR team for achieving a 27% increase in revenue collection, calling it a commendable milestone, but added that more work is needed to address systemic loopholes and inefficiencies.
The prime minister commended the finance minister, secretary finance, FBR chairman, and the entire team for launching the performance system, which he described as a transformative initiative. He also announced plans to replicate the system across other government institutions to introduce a culture of accountability, reward, and reform.
During his visit, PM Shehbaz was briefed on various FBR initiatives, including Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), Digital Invoicing System (ready for rollout), Newly launched digital Performance Management System and Newly established FBR Delivery Unit.
Officials informed the prime minister that a data-driven decision-making framework is being introduced, drawing from databases including NADRA, banking institutions, and other sectors to improve tax monitoring and asset tracking. These steps are part of a broader effort to align FBR operations with international standards and expand the tax base.
The digital invoicing system, aimed at improving transparency and compliance, is set for launch in the coming weeks. Additionally, over 35 new companies have been brought into the tax net, and tax return forms for the current fiscal year have been simplified to facilitate compliance.
A major feature of the new system is the fully automated evaluation process for FBR officers. Based on measurable performance indicators, officers will now be eligible for financial incentives and promotions, marking a shift toward merit-based career progression.
While visiting the FBR Delivery Unit, the prime minister interacted with officers and reviewed the ongoing work. He called the team a “valuable national asset” and expressed hope that their efforts would contribute significantly to modernizing Pakistan’s tax system and strengthening revenue generation.
