Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed serious anger over past sales tax frauds and ordered a forensic audit of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) digital systems by an international firm. Chairing a high-level meeting on FBR reforms, the prime minister demanded a comprehensive investigation report within three weeks, directing strict legal action against all individuals and institutions found involved.
During the meeting, FBR officials briefed the premier on the progress of reforms and their participation in the World Bank’s annual conference in Washington, where Pakistan’s case study on tax reforms received positive feedback. Officials explained that modern security measures—including audit vaults, database protection walls, and real-time monitoring—are now in place to prevent future fraud.
A fact-finding report revealed that the frauds dating back to 2018–19 occurred due to PRAL’s outdated system, lack of oversight, and weak digital safeguards. PM Shehbaz praised the recent reform initiatives but ordered a complete forensic review to ensure accountability and prevent future misuse of taxpayer data.
