Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government is accelerating reforms to modernize the Federal Board of Revenue through the use of artificial intelligence and a strengthened tax regime. Speaking at the closing ceremony of FBR’s Postgraduate Diploma Program at Lahore University of Management Sciences, the finance minister urged FBR officers to adopt AI tools and continuously upgrade their skills, saying modern tax administration now depends on digital systems and integrated databases.
The finance minister said the reforms are aimed at improving transparency, restoring taxpayer confidence, expanding the tax net, and creating a more efficient and people friendly tax system. He said the government is introducing a new operating model for FBR that will enhance institutional transparency and efficiency while integrating modern digital systems and data sharing across government institutions to detect tax evasion and improve policymaking. The finance minister noted that the government has already uncovered significant cases of sales tax evasion through these efforts.
The finance minister said the prime minister has placed particular emphasis on FBR reforms and the broader transition toward a cashless economy to improve documentation of the economy and strengthen financial transparency. He added that the reform drive began with the sugar sector before extending to enforcement measures in the cement industry, reflecting a sector by sector approach to tightening tax compliance. Addressing officers who completed the diploma program, the finance minister said they now carry the responsibility of helping transform FBR into a modern, effective, and citizen focused institution through professionalism and integrity, expressing confidence that the program launched in 2026 will be remembered as a key milestone in the country’s institutional reform journey when Pakistan marks a century of independence in 2047.
FBR Chairman Muhammad Rashid Langrial said continuous professional training remains essential for building a modern and transparent tax administration, adding that programs of this kind are designed to equip officers with the skills needed to improve institutional performance and strengthen Pakistan’s tax system. Awards and certificates were distributed to officers who performed exceptionally during the diploma program, marking the formal conclusion of the training cycle at Lahore University of Management Sciences.
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