Key Points
- National convention to be held in Islamabad on May 15-16
- Discussions to centre on tax reform and broader compliance
- Participants expected from the government, business, and civil society
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first National Taxpayers Convention will convene in Islamabad this week, with policymakers, economists, business leaders, and tax experts expected to focus on broadening the country’s narrow tax base.
The two-day convention, scheduled for May 15-16 at the Legend Hotel in Islamabad, is being organised by the Taxpayers Alliance of Pakistan (TPAP) with support from policy think tank PRIME Institute.
Organisers say the event aims to bring together taxpayers, chambers of commerce, business associations, professionals, students, and government representatives.
They are scheduled to discuss what they describe as the need for a fairer, simpler, and more predictable taxation framework in Pakistan.
The gathering comes at a critical moment for the South Asian economy as the government pursues fiscal reforms under an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported programme.
The IMF conditionality places strong emphasis on increasing revenue collection and expanding the documented economy.
Pakistan has long struggled with one of the region’s lowest tax-to-GDP ratios, with a relatively small number of individuals and businesses formally registered in the tax system despite a large informal sector.
Senior officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Finance Ministry, and political parties are expected to participate in discussions on tax administration reforms, compliance challenges, enforcement mechanisms, and taxpayer rights.
Sessions during the convention will also examine illicit trade, digital economy, taxation, fiscal transparency, and the economic costs associated with policy uncertainty and uneven enforcement.
A major outcome of the event is expected to be the adoption of a proposed “Taxpayers’ Charter of Demands.”
A 14-point reform framework advocates broader direct taxation, lower compliance costs, harmonised sales taxes, reduced exemptions, and simplified online filing procedures.
The charter also calls for limiting presumptive taxation, reducing import duties on raw materials, encouraging corporatisation, and improving transparency in public spending to strengthen trust between taxpayers and the government.
Economists say expanding the tax base remains essential for Pakistan to reduce dependence on external borrowing, strengthen fiscal sustainability, and create greater room for development and social spending amid continued economic pressures.
