In an effort to expand the tax net and strengthen trust between taxpayers and the state, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) held an awareness session at the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The initiative was aligned with the government’s objective of promoting voluntary tax compliance through greater transparency and improved facilitation.
The seminar was arranged by the FBR’s Taxpayers’ Services Wing and was overseen by Member TPS, Tehmina Aamer. Senior FBR officials, including Muhammad Muti-ur-Rehman Mumtaz, Secretary for Taxpayers’ Education and Facilitation, and Abdul Rehman Sheikh, Second Secretary Facilitation, represented the Board during the session.
A large and diverse group of traders, manufacturers, and business professionals attended the event. GCCI leadership, including Senior Vice President Saad Jamil and Vice President Faisal Sattar Mughal, along with executive committee members and heads of various standing committees, were also present, reflecting strong engagement from the local business community.
During the seminar, FBR officials outlined the key reforms being implemented under the FBR Transformation Plan. The presentation focused on initiatives aimed at digitizing tax administration and minimizing manual intervention. These included Point of Sale (POS) system integration, the Track and Trace mechanism, digital invoicing, the faceless customs clearance system, cargo tracking solutions, direct port delivery, a reward and rating framework, and the use of video analytics to monitor industrial production.
Participants were informed that video analytics has already been introduced in the sugar and cement sectors and is currently being extended to the textile industry. The officials emphasized that the coordinated application of these reforms has contributed to better compliance levels, improved revenue documentation, and enhanced accountability within the tax system.
An open discussion followed the presentation, allowing members of the business community to raise questions and share concerns related to tax procedures and facilitation. The FBR team responded to these queries and provided practical guidance to help businesses navigate compliance requirements more effectively.
The session concluded on a positive note, with the FBR presenting tokens of appreciation to GCCI office-bearers and executive members. The event reinforced the FBR’s commitment to maintaining ongoing dialogue with the business sector and its resolve to develop a transparent, efficient, and supportive tax environment to drive sustainable economic growth.