Key points:
• Prime Minister lauds unprecedented 5.9 million tax filings for fiscal year 2024-25
• Nearly one million new taxpayers added to the system
• FBR attributes rise to digital facilitation, enforcement drives
• PM calls for continued reform to widen the tax net further
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday hailed Pakistan’s highest-ever tax compliance, reporting 5.9 million income tax returns filed for the fiscal year 2024-25 — a rise of nearly one million new filers.
The Prime Minister said the surge reflected growing public confidence in the Federal Board of Revenue’s digital reforms and enforcement initiatives. He congratulated the FBR team for expanding the tax base and pledged to sustain the momentum through continued structural reforms and transparency.
According to official data, the FBR’s recent automation, simplified return portals, and crackdown on non-filers helped drive the record response. The tax authority had launched extensive awareness and facilitation campaigns earlier this year, targeting salaried professionals, traders, and small businesses.
Officials noted that the number of returns represents a key milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to stabilise revenues and reduce reliance on indirect taxation. They added that stronger compliance would enable greater fiscal space for public development and social programs.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to broadening the tax base and supporting honest taxpayers, stressing that sustainable revenue generation remains central to Pakistan’s economic recovery strategy.
