PM hails record Rs12.957tr FBR haul, sets sights on Rs15tr revenue target

• Premier Shehbaz credits record tax collection to reforms, digitisation and institutional teamwork

• Nearly Rs600b in tax refunds helped businesses, boosted exports, says premier

• Terms FBR’s new digital, faceless tax administration model to minimise human intervention

• Praises economic team, FBR officials, Field Marshal Asim Munir and law enforcers

• Karachi LTO collects Rs528b in June; Lahore LTO contributes Rs261b as airport customs revenue rises 21pc: briefing

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday hailed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving a record-breaking tax collection of Rs12.957 trillion in fiscal year 2025-26, describing the milestone as a major step forward in Pakistan’s economic recovery and the outcome of sustained reforms, digitisation and institutional teamwork, while setting a new revenue target of over Rs15 trillion for the current fiscal year.

Chairing a meeting with senior FBR officers at the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister congratulated the officers individually and the entire FBR workforce collectively for surpassing the historic revenue collection target during the last fiscal year, according to a news release.

PM Shehbaz said the timely disbursement of nearly Rs600 billion in tax refunds during the fiscal year had provided much-needed relief to the business community while supporting export growth.

Expressing confidence in the FBR’s capabilities, he said field formations and officers would maintain the same level of commitment to achieve the government’s revenue target of more than Rs15 trillion during the current fiscal year.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and other senior government officials.

The prime minister also commended Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal, members of the government’s economic team and FBR officers for their role in improving the tax authority’s performance.

He also paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and law enforcement agencies for their efforts in curbing smuggling and ensuring the security of FBR personnel. The prime minister further praised officers serving in remote areas, acknowledging their dedication and sacrifices in enforcing tax and customs laws.

Highlighting the government’s reform agenda, PM Shehbaz said the FBR’s record revenue collection had been made possible through reforms introduced over the past two and a half years, with a strong emphasis on digitisation, transparency and teamwork.

He noted that he personally chaired review meetings on the FBR’s performance twice every month, underscoring that institutional reforms remained among the government’s highest priorities.

The prime minister said officers with strong professional reputations had been posted in FBR field formations to strengthen integrity within the organisation, reiterating that there was no place for corrupt elements in the tax authority.

He directed FBR officials to prioritise taxpayer facilitation alongside revenue collection, stressing that expanding the tax base, improving transparency and enhancing taxpayer services remained central objectives of the government's reform programme.

PM Shehbaz also announced that the FBR’s new operating model would be based on a digital, faceless tax administration system with minimal human intervention.

He further directed the formation of a high-level committee to recommend measures for improving the career progression and service structure of officers belonging to the Pakistan Customs Service and Inland Revenue Service.

During the meeting, FBR officers thanked the prime minister for his continued support for the institution and appreciation of their performance. The delegation also briefed him on the performance of field formations across the country.

According to the briefing, the Karachi Large Taxpayers Office collected Rs528 billion in revenue during June 2026, while the Lahore Large Taxpayers Office generated Rs261 billion during the same month. Officials also informed the meeting that customs duty collection at airports had increased by 21 per cent over the past year.