Muhammad Aurangzeb hails record Rs13 trillion tax collection

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that Pakistan's tax revenues have almost doubled during

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that Pakistan’s tax revenues have almost doubled during the last two and a half years, reflecting what he described as significant improvements in tax administration and economic management.

He made these remarks while addressing a meeting involving senior leadership and field formations of the Federal Board of Revenue.

The finance minister congratulated FBR officials and staff for achieving the revenue target set for the fiscal year 2025-26.

He said the government had assigned the FBR a tax collection target of Rs12.83 trillion for the fiscal year.

According to him, the tax authority not only achieved the target but exceeded it by crossing the Rs13 trillion mark.

He described the achievement as historic and said such a milestone had never been reached within such a short period in Pakistan’s history.

Muhammad Aurangzeb said the successful completion of the fiscal year while maintaining the budget deficit at one of its lowest levels was another major accomplishment for the country’s economy.

He stated that the performance reflected the impact of economic reforms introduced over recent years.

The finance minister said teamwork and coordination between policymakers, tax officials and field staff played an important role in achieving the results.

He added that continuous reforms within the tax system also contributed significantly to higher revenue collection.

According to the minister, stronger tax revenues have helped the government reduce the fiscal deficit and improve overall economic stability.

He said better revenue performance strengthens the country’s financial position and creates more room for development spending and public welfare programmes.

Muhammad Aurangzeb also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve services for taxpayers.

He revealed that the FBR issued tax refunds amounting to Rs599 billion during the fiscal year.

The minister noted that refund payments were made to support businesses and improve liquidity in the economy.

He further disclosed that a record Rs13.5 billion in tax refunds was released on the final day of the fiscal year alone.

The finance minister said improving taxpayer experience remains a key priority of the government.

He stressed that transparency, efficiency and public trust are essential elements of a modern taxation system.

According to him, the government is working to simplify tax procedures and reduce difficulties faced by taxpayers.

Muhammad Aurangzeb said the FBR is undergoing a major digital transformation aimed at improving performance and reducing human intervention.

He stated that artificial intelligence and advanced digital systems are being introduced to modernise tax administration.

The minister said technology-driven reforms would help identify tax evasion, improve compliance and increase efficiency across the institution.

He added that the use of digital tools would also enhance transparency and accountability within the tax collection system.

The finance minister expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would continue to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and improve revenue generation in the coming years.

He said the government’s objective is to build a fair, transparent and efficient tax system that encourages compliance while facilitating taxpayers across the country.