PM forms task force to digitalise tax collection

ISLAMABAD: With the inclusion of a major general into yet another task force constituted on digitalisation of the FBR, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-powered committee for end-to-end digitalisation of the tax collection process.

The Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the Task Force envisage formulating policy interventions required for digitalisation of FBR along with implementation of data automation/software solutions, encompassing following Data integration (vertically with Provincial Revenue Authorities & horizontally across Ministries/Government departments); risk based auditing with CNIC as single primary identifier to broaden tax base;Supply chain automation (wholesaler, distributor & middleman network); Track & Trace System through integrated/automated system; Restructuring of PRAL as an independent IT driven bureau for generating planning data/stats; and, Trade data sharing interface with trading partners for effective valuation/appraisal.

The Task Force shall submit its recommendations/plan for consideration of the Prime Minister within one month. FBR shall notify the above Task Force and provide secretarial support. The Task Force may co-opt any person from public/private sector, if deemed necessary, for the purposes of this task.

According to an official notification issued by the government stating that for comprehensive and end to end digitalization of FBR, the Prime Minister has been pleased to constitute a Task Force on Digitalization of FBR, with immediate effect. Headed by Minister of State for Finance & Revenue Ali Pervaiz, the task force will comprise Major General Syed Ali Raza (DG C41 Co-Chair) and members including Ghazi Akhtar, Lotte Akhtar Beverages Ltd, Ziad Bashir, Member BoD Gul Ahmed, Amir Malik, ex-CEO PRAL, Famed Zafar, LUMS, Asif Peer, Systems Ltd, Tania Aidrus, Waqas ul Hasan, Karandaz, Gohar Marwat, Project Officer, NADRA.