ByIslamabad, Pakistan:A delegation from the World Bank, led by Country Director Mr. Najy Benhassine, visited the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters on Monday to discuss the alignment of the Pakistan Raises Revenue Project with the FBR’s Transformation Plan. The delegation included Mr. Tobias Akhtar Haque, Lead Country Economist, Ms. Irum Touqeer, Public Sector Specialist, and Ms. Eva Liselotte Lescrauwaet, Senior Operations Officer.
During the meeting, FBR Chairman Mr. Rashid Mahmood Langrial outlined the government’s vision for transforming the tax system. He emphasized that the primary objective of the reforms was to foster revenue growth while ensuring taxpayer facilitation. Key focus areas include digitalization, capacity building of human resources, anti-smuggling measures, and broader tax administration reforms to bridge gaps in compliance.
Mr. Langrial sought the World Bank’s support for initiatives such as the establishment of digital enforcement stations, the digitalization of supply chains, and conducting feasibility studies for these reforms. These measures, he noted, are critical to modernizing Pakistan’s tax system and enhancing its efficiency.
Expressing strong support for Pakistan’s revenue mobilization efforts, Mr. Najy Benhassine affirmed the World Bank’s commitment to working closely with the FBR. He assured the delegation that the World Bank would continue to collaborate on activities under the Pakistan Raises Revenue Program, which aims to enhance revenue collection and facilitate economic growth.
The meeting underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to implementing transformative measures that strengthen Pakistan’s fiscal framework and improve compliance. By aligning global expertise with local reforms, the partnership aims to achieve sustainable growth in revenue collection while simplifying processes for taxpayers.
