PTBP Web Desk
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a stern warning to FBR officials. During a review meeting on Thursday focused on accelerating the legal proceedings of tax revenue cases, the Prime Minister made it unequivocally clear that any official found fabricating cases on weak or false premises would face exemplary punishment. This statement not only underscores the government’s commitment to transparency but also its intent to fortify the legal framework surrounding tax collection.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the legal steps being taken by the FBR to conclude ongoing tax revenue cases promptly. This directive is part of a broader initiative to reform the FBR, ensuring that the process of tax litigation is swift, fair, and effective. The PM emphasized hiring top-notch lawyers to represent the FBR in these crucial cases, signaling a strategy to bolster the legal representation and thereby enhance the chances of favorable outcomes for the state.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that the reforms within the FBR are being implemented without delay, praising the positive outcomes these changes have already begun to yield. To further this transparency and efficiency, he ordered a forensic audit of cases linked to tax matters, aiming to eliminate any discrepancies or malpractices within the system.
In an approach to balance accountability with motivation, PM Sharif declared that officers who have diligently built cases on merit would receive special incentives. This reward system is designed to encourage professionalism and integrity within the ranks of the FBR, fostering a culture where hard work and honesty are recognized and rewarded.
The meeting revealed some significant progress in the legal domain. From July to December 2024, thanks to the involvement of reputable lawyers, 586 cases were resolved in the High Court, and 637 cases were settled in the Supreme Court. However, the scale of the challenge remains vast, with 33,522 cases involving Rs4.7 trillion still pending across various courts and tribunals nationwide. This statistic alone highlights the urgent need for streamlined legal processes within the tax sector.
To manage this extensive litigation, the FBR has developed a litigation management dashboard for higher courts, as directed by the PM. Moreover, the preparation of a tax tribunals management system at the Ministry of Law and Justice is nearing completion, promising a soon-to-be-launched tool that would further streamline case management and oversight.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, the FBR chairman, and other senior officials, indicating the high priority placed on this issue at the governmental level.
The commitment shown by PM Shehbaz Sharif to overhaul the FBR’s legal approach not only aims at increasing the efficiency of tax collection but also at cleaning up the system from within. By punishing misconduct and rewarding diligence, the government is setting a precedent for how tax authorities should function. This dual approach could significantly reshape public trust in tax administration and contribute to a healthier fiscal environment in Pakistan.
