Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana, confirmed that the caretaker government has formally approved a comprehensive set of reforms for the FBR, with the implementation to be undertaken by the incoming elected government.
Speaking during an informal interaction with Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Tiwana highlighted that the FBR will complete all preparatory work, ensuring that the reform blueprint is ready for execution once the new administration assumes office.
The federal cabinet’s recent approval of the restructuring and digitization of the FBR reflects a clear national commitment to modernizing tax administration. Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, in a televised address following the cabinet’s decision, reaffirmed that the endorsed roadmap—backed by all relevant stakeholders—will serve as the foundation for future implementation by the elected government.
Despite this progress, the process has encountered a legal challenge. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the February 4 notification issued by the caretaker government regarding the formation of an implementation committee for the FBR’s restructuring. The court’s intervention introduces a temporary pause in the operationalization of the reform mechanism.
Nevertheless, Tiwana’s remarks underscore the FBR’s determination to lay the groundwork for structural change. With a clear roadmap in place and strong backing from the federal cabinet, the FBR remains focused on institutional reform, digitization, and efficiency enhancement—pending political transition.
