High taxes on imported and high-end mobile phones in Pakistan have exposed flaws in the PTA taxation system, including lost taxes on stolen or damaged devices and unfair treatment of used phones, prompting calls for modern, flexible reforms.
In a major anti-smuggling operation, Karachi Customs seized 564 high-end mobile phones and a tampered Toyota Prado worth Rs96 million. The vehicle contained hidden compartments, highlighting a sophisticated smuggling attempt now under investigation.
Multiple operations by Pakistan Customs in KP recover smuggled goods valued at Rs74.4 million, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and protect national revenue.
PRA identifies major tax defaulters across Punjab, including over 100 farmhouses in Lahore, and orders immediate notices and strict action against fake invoicing.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar firmly defended FBR’s legal authority to obtain taxpayers’ bank information, saying the practice is fully protected by law and aligned with global AML regimes. He stressed that financial scrutiny is essential for compliance as the Senate referred the matter for further review amid privacy concerns.
Punjab Revenue Authority has issued a stern warning to unregistered businesses, calling for immediate registration and strict compliance. Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra directed enforcement measures, recovery of pending taxes, and integration of electronic food platforms into the central e-IMS dashboard, urging consumers to verify receipts via the PRA Sahulat App.
The federal government has pressed provinces to raise their revenue share during the 11th NFC discussions, warning that the fiscal pressures caused by the 7th NFC Award continue to squeeze defence and development spending. The Centre proposed adding 5% of GDP—about Rs6.5 trillion—to national revenues over three years and called for stronger provincial taxation on property, agriculture income and services.
The Pakistan Medical Association has condemned the Federal Board of Revenue’s decision to audit doctors alongside beauty salons and aesthetic clinics, calling the comparison inappropriate and harmful. As the FBR launches a tax scrutiny campaign targeting high-fee practitioners and luxury beauty businesses in major cities, the PMA warns that aggressive enforcement could further limit access to essential healthcare, especially for low-income communities.
The FTO has warned the FBR Chairman about serious administrative lapses by senior officers, urging prompt action to prevent future inefficiency and maladministration.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is preparing substantial tax relief measures for the salaried class in the next budget on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial said formal work has begun on proposals to ease the tax burden, while the government also plans a gradual reduction and eventual elimination of the super tax on major corporations.