Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday commended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) for their successful joint operations against tax evasion and hoarding, which recovered a staggering Rs. 178 billion. During a briefing at the PM Office, Shehbaz emphasized that such inter-agency collaboration was vital for Pakistan’s economic stability and called for sustained efforts to expand the tax net.
A detailed report presented to the PM revealed that Rs. 69 billion was recovered through enhanced oversight of the telecom sector and corporate mergers, while 515 targeted raids on sugar, animal feed, beverages, and cement industries yielded an additional Rs. 10.5 billion in taxes. The IB’s aggressive crackdown on under-invoicing and smuggling played a pivotal role in these recoveries, demonstrating the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement.
The report further highlighted the IB’s 13,000+ operations against hoarding in essential commodities like sugar, wheat, and fertilizers since April 2022, leading to the seizure of illegally stockpiled goods worth Rs. 99 billion. These measures have helped curb artificial price hikes, providing relief to consumers amid inflationary pressures.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that economic progress hinges on fair taxation and vowed to continue tightening enforcement against tax dodgers. He directed all relevant agencies to strengthen coordination, ensuring that evaded revenues are channeled into public welfare projects. The government’s focus remains on broadening the tax base while protecting low-income citizens from market manipulation.