Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
A delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conducted a visit to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday, engaging with FBR leadership to discuss the implementation of the Domestic Resource Mobilization Program (DRM).
Led by Mr. Tariq Niazi, Senior Director ADB from Manila, the mission included key specialists such as Mr. Laisiasa Tora and economists Ms. Sana Masood and Ms. Farzana Noshab. The meeting was attended by FBR officials including Member (IR Operations) Mir Badshah Khan Wazir, Member (Reforms and Modernization) Mr. Ardsher Salim Tariq, Member (IT) Mr. Qasim Raza, Member (Digital Initiative) Mr. Karamatullah Chaudhry, and Member (Legal-IR) Arbab Muhammad Tariq.
The ADB mission focused on discussing structural and policy reforms under the DRM Program, which is financially supported by the ADB. The ADB expressed satisfaction with the progress of the DRM Program, highlighting significant achievements in Subprogram I. This phase laid the groundwork for improved policies, laws, and institutional capacity within the FBR, resulting in the disbursement of $300 million by the ADB to the Government of Pakistan in December 2023. Subprogram II reforms, scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, will further build on these actions to ensure full implementation and operationalization.
FBR officials briefed the ADB team on the Revenue Division’s efforts to transform the FBR into a Digital Tax Administration, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision and global trends. They highlighted ongoing digitalization initiatives aimed at automating processes, reducing compliance costs for taxpayers, documenting the economy, and expanding the tax base. FBR intends to collaborate with Karandaaz to develop a comprehensive digital strategy for the FBR’s digital transformation. Discussions also revolved around the contours of a Digital Tax Administration Project supported by the ADB, with both parties expressing interest in strengthening collaboration to support the Government of Pakistan’s digitalization efforts.
