Reforms in FBR govt’s top priority for economic revival: Law Minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday said that as per the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was the top priority of the incumbent government to introduce reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address economic crisis.

Prime Minister Shehbaz is leading the entire reform process in this regard, he said while addressing a press conference.

The minister highlighted that currently tax cases pertaining to the recovery of more than Rs2,700 billion were pending in courts, which should be concluded early. The parliament, he said, for the first time has legislated on tax tribunals in order to not only expedite the process but also to make it efficient. Under the law, cases of Rs20 million will go to the commissioner while the cases above this amount will go to the tribunal, he added.

Tarar said that some postings and transfers have been made in the FBR and more are expected in the coming days with strict adherence to merit, the official news agency reported.

Competent officers with good repute were being brought in front so the policies would be implemented efficiently, he said, adding that changes were not being made to declare anyone corrupt. He said that transfers would also be made in Customs office to streamline the system and its effects would also go to the lower level.

The minister said that steps were also being taken to expand tax net, recoveries, income tax collection and to stop electricity theft in the country so that this money could be used for the welfare of the public.

The prime minister, he said, is committed to the revival of economy and has given full liberty to the FBR to perform well.

The law minister said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended to expand tax net, control electricity theft and ensure good governance to save the resources. People were earning millions of rupees but paying no income taxes, he said, adding that it was injustice to put more burden on those who were already taxpayers.

The minister said that amendments in the law was a good initiative and now practical steps were required to bring the country out from financial crisis.