The federal government has implemented another IMF condition by limiting the FBR’s role to tax collection and transferring tax policy formulation to the newly activated Tax Policy Office under the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Najeeb Ahmed Memon will lead the office for two years, with several directors appointed under a special professional pay scale.
FBR has finalized a new arrest procedure for businessmen involved in sales tax fraud, introducing regional committees with trade body representatives to ensure transparency and fairness in tax enforcement actions.
FBR has launched a crackdown on social media influencers flaunting luxury lifestyles that don’t match their declared income. Through its new Lifestyle Monitoring Cell, the FBR has identified more than 20 suspected tax evaders with undeclared assets exceeding Rs 620 million, including luxury cars, foreign vacations, and high-end goods.
FBR and the IMF have agreed to lower the tax collection target by Rs150 billion, setting it at Rs13.981 trillion as part of revised economic goals under the bailout program following recent fiscal and flood-related challenges.
FBR has begun monitoring over 100,000 social media accounts in a sweeping crackdown on influencers and digital celebrities living lavishly but declaring low income. Officials confirmed that deleted posts are already archived, and investigations are underway across major cities to expose tax evasion through undeclared digital earnings and luxury spending.
FBR has restricted electricity and gas companies from altering National Tax Numbers (NTNs) or Sales Tax Registration Numbers (STRNs) of industrial consumers without prior approval. The move, detailed in Sales Tax Circular No. 3 of 2025, aims to tighten control over tax registration changes.
Punjab has set up a Special Unit within the Punjab Revenue Authority to enhance tax collection, expand operations to 30 districts, and bring 19 new sectors into the tax net. The move, directed by CM Maryam Nawaz, follows strong first-quarter revenue growth of Rs66.4 billion.
The Punjab Revenue Authority has launched a province-wide campaign encouraging citizens to make digital payments and collect e-receipts after availing services. The move aims to reduce cash leakages, promote transparency, and ensure collected taxes contribute to Punjab’s growth.
The Federal Board of Revenue’s Lifestyle Monitoring Cell has exposed over 20 major tax evasion cases involving hidden assets worth more than Rs800 million. The findings reveal luxury vehicles, foreign trips, and lavish spending by individuals declaring minimal income, prompting formal investigations and legal action.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is preparing to introduce IRIS 3.0, an advanced digital tax platform that will streamline tax filing through automation and pre-filled data. Announced at a World Bank event in Washington, the initiative showcases Pakistan’s homegrown tax reform success, driven by technology, transparency, and strong political ownership.