The FBR is moving ahead with major reforms to modernize Pakistan’s tax administration through artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government is committed to building a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly tax system.
He shared these remarks on Saturday while speaking at the closing ceremony of the FBR’s Postgraduate Diploma Program held at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).
Aurangzeb said the government wants FBR officers to embrace AI and keep improving their professional skills. He explained that modern tax systems rely on advanced digital tools, integrated databases, and data-driven decision-making.
The finance minister said these reforms are designed to increase transparency and improve public trust in the tax system. He added that they will also help expand the tax base and make tax administration more efficient for both taxpayers and government institutions.
According to Aurangzeb, the government is introducing a new operating model for the FBR. This model will improve institutional performance by using modern digital systems and better coordination among government departments.
He said stronger data sharing between institutions will help identify tax evasion more effectively. It will also support better policymaking through the use of reliable information and advanced technology.
Aurangzeb revealed that the government has already detected several major cases of sales tax evasion. He said these findings show the importance of using digital systems to improve tax enforcement and strengthen compliance.
The finance minister also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s focus on FBR reforms and the promotion of a cashless economy. He said these efforts are aimed at documenting the economy and improving financial transparency across the country.
He explained that the government started its reform campaign with the sugar sector. It later expanded enforcement efforts to the cement industry as part of a broader strategy to improve tax collection.
Addressing the officers who completed the postgraduate diploma program, Aurangzeb congratulated them on their achievement. He encouraged them to use their knowledge and skills to help transform the FBR into a modern, effective, and service-oriented institution.
He stressed that professionalism, integrity, and continuous learning will play an important role in achieving the government’s long-term reform goals.
Looking ahead, Aurangzeb expressed confidence that the diploma program launched in 2026 would become an important milestone in Pakistan’s institutional reforms. He said that when the country celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047, this initiative will be remembered as a key step in modernizing the tax administration.
FBR Chairman Muhammad Rashid Langrial also addressed the ceremony. He said continuous professional training is essential for building a transparent and modern tax authority. He noted that such programs help officers develop the skills needed to improve institutional performance and strengthen Pakistan’s tax system.
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The event concluded with the distribution of awards and certificates to officers who showed outstanding performance during the diploma program. The ceremony highlighted the government’s continued focus on capacity building, digital transformation, and long-term improvements in Pakistan’s tax administration.
