Personal Email Use Barred for Government Business
The federal government has announced a strict ban on the use of personal and private email accounts for official communication, marking a significant step toward improving cybersecurity and protecting sensitive state information. The policy applies to all public sector organizations, including major institutions such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Official Communication Rules Tightened […]
Punjab Revenue Authority Cracks Down on Sales Tax Violations
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has intensified its enforcement campaign against tax evasion, taking strict action against businesses found manipulating sales records and violating provincial sales tax laws in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Irregularities Uncovered in Lahore In Lahore, PRA inspection teams conducted surprise audits of five prominent coffee outlets located in upscale areas of the […]
January Windfall Gives FBR a Revenue Boost Heading into 2026
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) kicked off 2026 with a strong fiscal showing, collecting Rs1.015 trillion in taxes during January, a notable 16 percent jump compared to the previous month. The performance marks one of the strongest monthly outcomes so far this fiscal year and signals improving momentum in Pakistan’s revenue mobilization efforts. What […]
Alleged Impersonation Raises Alarming Questions About FBR Oversight
A troubling controversy has emerged around the alleged misuse of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) identity by a group claiming to operate as the Inland Revenue Service Officers Association. The matter has sparked serious concerns about impersonation, misuse of official resources, and possible internal complicity within one of Pakistan’s most important revenue institutions. The […]
Pakistan’s Revenue Struggles Deepen as FBR Falls Short of Tax Target
Pakistan’s fiscal challenges continue to mount as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) once again failed to meet its tax collection targets, raising fresh concerns about the country’s ability to manage growing economic pressures. During the first seven months of the current fiscal year (July 2025 to January 2026), the FBR collected Rs7.147 trillion in […]
The Price of “Baseless” Appeals: Why the Supreme Court is Reining in the FBR
For years, a silent crisis has been brewing in Pakistan’s superior courts. It’s not just the sheer number of cases; it’s who is filing them and why. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of Pakistan recently pulled back the curtain on a troubling trend: the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) habit of dragging taxpayers […]
Pakistan’s Super Tax Verdict: Legal Closure, Policy Questions Remain
Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has finally drawn a legal line under one of the country’s most contested fiscal measures: the super tax on high-income individuals and corporations. By upholding the levy, the court has cleared the way for the government to recover an estimated Rs310 billion in unpaid taxes and dispose of more than […]
Supreme Court Draws a Clear Line on Delayed Tax Orders
In a significant ruling that strengthens taxpayer protections, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has once again made it clear that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) cannot act beyond the limits set by law. The Court has declared that tax orders issued after the expiry of the statutory deadline are illegal and unenforceable. The Core […]
FBR Moves to Regulate Social Media Presence of Customs Staff
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has stepped up its oversight of Customs officials’ online activity, warning that the unauthorized use of social media platforms may lead to disciplinary consequences. The move highlights the government’s increasing focus on controlling how public institutions and their representatives operate in the digital sphere. In a recent notification, the […]
FCC Verdict on Super Tax: A Turning Point for Pakistan’s Fiscal Policy
Pakistan’s taxation landscape has reached a decisive moment after the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) upheld the legality of the controversial super tax, ending years of litigation by corporate and business entities. The ruling removes legal uncertainty around Sections 4B and 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, and enables the federal government to unlock more […]
FTO Introduces Fast-Track System for Small Tax Refunds
Taxpayers awaiting small refunds can expect quicker relief as the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has announced a new policy to ensure small-value tax refunds are released within 8 to 10 days. The move is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, and restoring trust between taxpayers and revenue authorities. The announcement was made by Federal Tax […]
FBR Cuts Import Taxes on Storage Devices and Used iPhones
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reduced customs valuation rates on USB flash drives, memory cards, and other data storage devices, offering relief to importers and consumers alike. The revised values will now be used to calculate customs duty and taxes at the import stage and are intended to reflect current global market prices. […]
FBR Tightens Grip on E-Commerce Tax Compliance Through IRIS
Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is entering a new phase of tax oversight as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introduces stricter reporting and withholding requirements for online sales. Under recent changes announced by FBR, courier companies and online fulfillment partners are now required to submit withholding tax statements directly through the IRIS portal, significantly reshaping how […]
Rethinking Dividend Taxes: Government Reviews Corporate Sector Concerns
Pakistan’s corporate sector may see some relief as the government reviews a proposal to ease the heavy tax burden placed on dividends exchanged within corporate groups. The Tax Policy Office (TPO) of the Ministry of Finance is examining recommendations from the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) that call for ending repeated taxation on inter-corporate dividends (ICDs). […]
Rising Fuel Levies Signal Tighter Controls in Pakistan’s Oil Market
Pakistan’s revenue authorities appear to be reaping the benefits of stricter oversight in the petroleum sector, as collections from the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) reached an impressive Rs828 billion during the first six months of the fiscal year, from July through December. According to official figures, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) recorded a substantial […]
Solar Project or Shadow Dealings? Senate Flags Troubling Gaps in Import Data
Pakistan’s push toward renewable energy has hit an uncomfortable speed bump after a Senate committee uncovered alarming irregularities in the import of solar equipment for the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP). What was meant to be a flagship initiative to promote clean energy is now under scrutiny for alleged tax evasion, under-invoicing, and potential money […]
Understanding FBR’s Power to Establish Customs Stations Across Pakistan
Pakistan’s customs system is governed by a legal framework that gives the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wide-ranging authority to manage how and where goods enter, exit, and move within the country. One of the most important powers under this framework is the ability to declare any location in Pakistan as a customs station, a […]
Millions Lost to FBR Lapses: What the Audit Really Reveals
Another troubling chapter in Pakistan’s public finance story came to light this week when an audit exposed serious lapses within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). According to details shared with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), weak enforcement of customs laws and administrative delays cost the national treasury millions of rupees over several years. The […]
Expanding Track & Trace: FBR’s Next Move Against Tax Evasion
Pakistan’s tax authorities are preparing to take another major step toward controlling tax evasion and illegal trade. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) plans to widen the use of the Track & Trace System (TTS) by introducing it in more industries considered vulnerable to undocumented production and revenue leakage. According to tax reform specialists, the […]
How SECP’s eZfile Is Transforming Business Registration in Pakistan
Pakistan is steadily moving toward a more modern and transparent regulatory system, and recent reforms are making it easier than ever to start and run a business. At the center of this transformation is the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which has taken major steps to digitize processes, improve oversight, and align local […]