Pakistan’s Federal Tax Ombudsman and Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue have agreed to enhance cooperation on tax dispute resolution and taxpayer facilitation, aiming to create a more business-friendly tax environment and strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries. The understanding was reached during a delegation visit from Bangladesh to Islamabad, led by Md. Lutful Azeem, where discussions focused on improving institutional coordination, resolving taxpayer grievances efficiently, and promoting transparency in tax administration. This initiative reflects a growing commitment from both countries to modernize tax systems and ensure smoother economic interaction for businesses.
During the meeting, Federal Tax Ombudsman Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi welcomed the Bangladeshi delegation and emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation to enhance accountability and trust in tax frameworks. He highlighted that effective grievance redressal mechanisms play a key role in encouraging voluntary compliance among taxpayers and fostering confidence among local and foreign investors. Hijazi noted that transparent and accessible dispute resolution can help reduce bureaucratic friction and support overall economic activity by making tax administration more predictable and fair.
Advisor Customs Dr. Arslan Subuctageen briefed the delegation on the operational framework of Pakistan’s Federal Tax Ombudsman, emphasizing efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer-friendly reforms. Both sides explored areas for future collaboration, including sharing best practices, aligning approaches to dispute resolution, and developing joint strategies for improving taxpayer services. Officials underlined that these steps are essential to support businesses, reduce disputes, and strengthen trust in the administration of taxes. The discussions also focused on long-term cooperation to improve procedural efficiency and reduce challenges faced by taxpayers in both countries.
The collaboration is part of a broader effort by Pakistan and Bangladesh to foster economic engagement and ensure that taxation systems support investment and trade while minimizing unnecessary burdens on businesses. By aligning approaches to dispute resolution and taxpayer facilitation, both authorities aim to provide a transparent, reliable, and efficient framework that benefits the business community. This partnership reinforces the role of cross-border cooperation in strengthening tax systems, enhancing accountability, and promoting investor confidence across the region.
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