The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced plans to revive its long-suspended Tax Directory and introduce a private-sector whistleblower program to combat tax evasion. The initiatives aim to enhance transparency and boost revenue collection in Pakistan’s economy.
The Tax Directory, last published for the 2019 tax year, was discontinued for undisclosed reasons, allegedly benefiting those with undeclared multimillion-rupee assets. Initially launched under the PML-N government (2013-18) and continued during the PTI regime, the directory published tax details of parliamentarians and return filers. The FBR has submitted a proposal to the federal cabinet to resume publication for the 2025 fiscal year, aiming to expose tax discrepancies.
Under the proposed whistleblower program, private companies will receive 5-10% of recovered tax amounts for providing accurate information on tax dodgers. The FBR plans to license about 100 firms, shifting from individual informants due to judicial restrictions on sharing sensitive data. Senior officials stated, “The wealthy elite who deliberately evade taxes will not be spared,” emphasising a digital approach to cross-match declared and actual incomes.
Read: FBR Launches Simplified Electronic Income Tax Return for 2025
The FBR received over 7.2 million tax returns in the last fiscal year, but rampant “nil filers” registering solely for the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) undermined efforts. The whistleblower program and Tax Directory aim to address this, aligning with Pakistan’s economic reforms, including a $7 billion IMF bailout and $1 billion Panda Bonds issuance, to reduce the 40% provincial poverty rate.
The FBR’s initiatives could enhance tax compliance and revenue, with potential GDP boosts of 1% from agriculture and 2% from property taxes, per a recent think tank report. The federal cabinet’s approval, expected by September 2025, will determine the rollout. Citizens are urged to monitor updates via the FBR website (www.fbr.gov.pk) as Pakistan strengthens its fiscal framework.
