PM Orders Clearance of All Tax Refund Cases by June 15, Directs FBR Reform Measures
Islamabad (Khabar Desk) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to resolve all pending tax refund cases by June 15, as part of efforts to facilitate the business community and strengthen economic activity in the country.
The prime minister issued these instructions during a meeting with a high-level delegation of chambers of commerce and industry from across Pakistan, where key issues including the upcoming federal budget, industrial growth, export expansion, and the overall economic situation were discussed in detail.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that due to the government’s continuous efforts and effective policies, the national economy has achieved stability, and steps are now being taken to accelerate economic growth further. He assured the business community that additional facilitation measures would be included in the upcoming budget to promote industrial production and business activities.
He specifically instructed the FBR to clear all pending tax refund cases by June 15 to address the difficulties faced by traders and exporters. The prime minister also emphasized that export-led growth remains the government’s core economic objective.
During the meeting, the prime minister welcomed the recent decision by banks to maintain the Export Refinance Scheme rate at 4.5 percent until June 2027, despite the increase in policy rates, saying it would provide significant relief to exporters.
PM Shehbaz also directed the relocation of the Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) head office to Karachi to further improve business facilitation and operational efficiency.
On the request of the business community, the government also approved the establishment of a passport office in Gujrat to facilitate overseas Pakistanis and traders.
The meeting discussed SME development, reforms, and incentives as a key part of the government’s economic agenda. The prime minister encouraged local investors to form joint ventures to promote domestic production of electric vehicles.
Business representatives appreciated the diplomatic efforts of the government leadership, including the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for their role in promoting regional peace and reducing tensions in the Gulf region.
The delegation assured full cooperation with the government in strengthening Pakistan’s economy and creating employment opportunities. They also welcomed initiatives such as the “Apna Ghar Program,” reforms in the Export Development Fund board, privatization of PIA, FBR digitization, and e-invoicing.
The meeting was attended by presidents and senior representatives of chambers from Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Quetta, Gujrat, and Sarhad, along with State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, the FBR chairman, and other senior officials.
