Latest loan accord with IMF would be Pakistan’s last, hopes Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the hope that the latest staff-level long agreement with IMF would be Pakistan’s last and directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to re-evaluate its strategy for enhancing revenue collection in order to help free the country from debt, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chairing a meeting during a visit to the FBR Headquarters in Islamabad on Saturday, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the sectors which are not paying taxes must be brought into the tax net. 

He said the process of digitization has been started in the FBR, assuring that it will be carried out in the most comprehensive and coordinated manner. He assured to fully support the revenue collection body in acquiring the latest technology.

Shehbaz Sharif praised the FBR for achieving a 30 percent increase in tax collection during the last financial year. He emphasized the need to reach the tax collection target of 13 trillion rupees set for the current fiscal year.

However, the prime minister said traders and investors should not be harassed, instead, they should be fully facilitated. He clarified that tax should be collected where it is due.

Shehbaz appreciated the finance team for securing the staff-level agreement with the IMF, expressing the confidence that the board of the international lender will also approve it. 

The prime minister said it is now time to act swiftly and tirelessly to make this loan programme the last one in the country's history.

He emphasized the need for structural changes in order to augment macroeconomic indicators and put the country on the path of development.

Reporter Awais Kiyani