PRA Tightens the Net on Persistent Non-Taxpayers
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has launched a renewed drive to bring long-standing non-taxpayers into the formal tax system, signaling a tougher stance on undocumented economic activity within the province’s services sector. Under the latest instructions, all companies providing services in Punjab are now required to register with the PRA, integrate their operations with the […]
Pakistan’s Super Tax Case: A Legal Battle With Far-Reaching Consequences
The ongoing super tax case before Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court has become a defining moment for the country’s legal and fiscal framework. What initially appeared to be a technical dispute over tax provisions has unfolded into a much deeper conversation about judicial authority, state institutions, and constitutional consistency. The case is being heard by a […]
FBR Tightens Promotion Rules with Mandatory Asset Disclosure
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new condition for officers aspiring to move up the career ladder, making asset disclosure a compulsory part of the promotion process. The step is being viewed as an effort to enhance transparency and strengthen accountability within the organization. Under the new directive, officers in Grades 17 […]
FBR Seeks Public Input to Shift Tax Burden Toward Wealthier Segments
As Pakistan begins early preparations for its next federal budget, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reached out to the business and trade community for suggestions on how to increase tax contributions from wealthier segments of society. In a recent statement, the FBR announced that it has initiated the budget-making process ahead of schedule […]
FBR Steps Up Anti-Smuggling Drive Through Stronger Law Enforcement Partnerships
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is reinforcing its commitment to tackling smuggling and protecting legitimate trade by deepening coordination with customs authorities and law enforcement agencies across the country. A recent high-level visit to Customs House Quetta on 8–9 January 2026 highlighted this collaborative approach, particularly in the strategically important province of Balochistan. The […]
Pakistan Sees Strong Growth in New Company Registrations as SECP Reforms Pay Off
Pakistan’s corporate sector is showing encouraging momentum, with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registering 21,542 new companies during the first half of fiscal year 2025–26 (July–December). The figures point to a growing confidence among entrepreneurs and investors, supported by regulatory reforms and digital transformation. According to SECP data, the upward trend has […]
FBR Cuts Back Time Limit for Sales Tax Delay Relief
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised its policy on granting relief for delayed compliance in sales tax matters, reducing the allowable condonation period from three years to two years for registered taxpayers. The move marks a shift toward stricter enforcement of statutory deadlines. The updated policy has been communicated through a formal notification […]
FBR Allowed to Shift Sales Tax Registrations Between Tax Offices
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has clarified that it holds the legal authority to move a taxpayer’s sales tax registration from one tax office to another under Rule 8 of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, as amended for 2026. This provision is designed to ensure efficient tax administration when businesses relocate or when jurisdictional […]
APTMA Calls for Cotton Monitoring at the Source, Not the Spinning Mills
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to reconsider its current cotton monitoring strategy, emphasizing that effective oversight must begin at the ginning stage, where raw cotton enters the formal supply chain. According to the association, monitoring spinning mills does little to address the root cause of […]
Government Kicks Off Budget Planning for FY 2026–27: What It Means for Businesses and the Economy
The federal government has officially begun groundwork for the Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget, signaling an early and structured approach to economic planning. As part of this process, the government has invited the business community to submit budget proposals by January 30, aiming to shape policies that better reflect market realities and growth needs. One of […]
Are Smartphones Finally Becoming Affordable in Pakistan?
For millions of Pakistanis, owning a decent smartphone has slowly shifted from being a convenience to a financial struggle. Over the years, heavy taxes and duties on mobile phone imports have pushed prices so high that even mid-range devices feel out of reach. Now, there may finally be some relief on the horizon. The Federal […]
FBR Reaches Out to Gujranwala Businesses to Build a Culture of Tax Compliance
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 […]
FBR to Crack Down on Non-Compliant Businesses Over E-Invoicing Integration
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is entering the enforcement phase of its electronic invoicing initiative and is preparing to impose significant penalties on businesses that have failed to integrate their systems with the tax authority’s digital platform. According to official sources, the penalty regime will take effect from January 2025, following the expiry of […]
Federal Constitutional Court Questions Validity of Super Tax Provision
A major legal challenge has emerged against Pakistan’s super tax regime, as Section 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, was declared unconstitutional before the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The provision was criticized for failing to meet the constitutional requirements necessary for imposing a federal tax. The matter came up during the hearing of appeals […]
How Mobile Phone Registration Has Boosted Pakistan’s Digital Economy
Over the past six years, Pakistan’s mobile phone ecosystem has undergone a major transformation, driven largely by stricter regulation and improved monitoring systems. At the center of this change is the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which has collected more than Rs83 billion in taxes through mobile device registration while blocking an astonishing 100 million non-compliant […]
Salaried Taxpayers Carry Pakistan’s Tax Burden While Other Sectors Lag Behind
Pakistan’s tax system continues to rely heavily on salaried individuals, once again highlighting deep structural imbalances in revenue collection. Recent figures released by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) show that salaried taxpayers contributed an impressive Rs266 billion in income tax during the first half of the current fiscal year — a figure that far […]
FBR Moves to Centralize Oversight of Major Corporations
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a decisive step to strengthen Pakistan’s tax administration by bringing 63 large companies under its direct supervision. The move is designed to enhance scrutiny of major taxpayers, improve compliance, and ensure greater transparency in the collection of federal taxes. By assuming direct jurisdiction over these high-value cases, […]
FBR Steps Up Sugar Industry Enforcement, Seals Units at Safina Sugar Mills
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has intensified its enforcement drive in the sugar sector as the 2025–26 crushing season begins, acting on directives issued by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The move is part of a broader effort to combat tax evasion, improve transparency, and ensure strict compliance with tax regulations across sugar mills […]
Punjab Revenue Authority Posts 35% Revenue Growth in First Half of FY
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has reported a significant boost in its revenue performance, registering a 35 percent year-on-year increase during the first six months of the ongoing financial year. The strong growth points to the effectiveness of recent administrative reforms and tighter tax enforcement across the province. Revenue Performance Shows Clear Upward Trend Between […]
FBR’s “Inactive” Label for Manual Tax Filers Sparks Legal and Public Backlash
A fresh controversy has emerged around Pakistan’s tax administration after reports surfaced that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has classified manual income tax return filers for Tax Year 2024 as “inactive taxpayers.” The move has drawn strong criticism from tax experts, lawyers, and rights advocates, who argue that it directly violates existing legal directives. […]