Connect with us

Business

Dar directs FBR to boost efforts for achieving ‘true tax potential’

Published

2 years ago

on

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to accelerate its efforts to achieve the true tax potential of the country.

The financial czar made the remarks while presiding over a meeting in Islamabad to review the performance of the FBR.

Dar extended his full support to the FBR in the performance of its duties for revenue collection.

During the meeting, FBR Chairman Asim Ahmad gave a detailed presentation on revenue targets and the performance of the FBR during the first nine months of the current fiscal year. It was stated that the FBR would make all-out efforts to meet its revenue target in the remaining months of the current financial year.

On February 1, the FBR claimed that it had collected Rs3,965 billion in tax collection in seven months (July-Jan) period and will have to collect Rs3,505 billion more in the remaining five months (Feb-June) of the current fiscal to meet the Rs7,470 billion target.

According to an FBR announcement, the tax machinery had surpassed the tax collection target envisaged for January 2023 with a margin of just Rs4 billion; its collection stood at Rs537 billion against the fixed target of Rs533 billion. However, FBR faced a revenue shortfall of Rs225 billion in December 2022 target.

It is argued by the FBR authorities that December 2022 was wrongly fixed on the higher side and they would be able to collect the fixed target for Income Tax, Sales Tax and Federal Excise Duty (FED). However, it might face a shortfall of Rs170 billion on account of Customs Duty collection.

The latest estimates suggest that the devaluation of the exchange rate will help the FBR overcome its expected shortfall in the current fiscal year.

According to the official statement issued by the FBR, the revenue collector had demonstrated performance during January 2023 and had not only achieved the monthly budgetary target of Rs533 billion but also surpassed it by Rs4 billion.

According to provisional figures, the FBR collected Rs537 billion in the month of January, showing a growth of 23% compared to the same month last year.

Cumulatively, the FBR had collected Rs3,965 billion in the first seven months of the current financial year against Rs3,367 billion collected in the corresponding period of the last year, depicting a growth of 18%.

The third quarter of the current fiscal year started with an impressive performance and the FBR was committed to meet the annual budgetary target of Rs7,470 billion for the current financial year despite economic challenges, said the statement.

According to the tax regulator, direct taxes collection had shown growth of 48% during the first seven months of the current financial year.

The growth in domestic taxes was 40% during the same period. The contribution of domestic taxes has also increased from 50% last year to 59% during the current year.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

Published

2 days ago

on

By

The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

Continue Reading

Business

SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

Published

2 days ago

on

By

The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

Continue Reading

Business

Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

Published

2 days ago

on

By

When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.

Continue Reading

Trending