PM’s aide stresses use of data to broaden tax base

Hafeez Shaikh asks SAPM Waqar Masood to formulate a proposal for liaison between NADRA and FBR

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has reiterated the need for broadening the tax net through the use of data, already available with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), without burdening the existing taxpayers.

The adviser said this while chairing the 3rd meeting of the FBR Policy Board at the FBR Headquarters on Thursday.

Hafeez Shaikh advised Special Assistant to PM on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood Khan to formulate a proposal for liaison between National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and FBR for data analysis and ensure all stakeholders are on board.

He directed that the policy board may also look into important issues that need special attention of the government, including tax collection and trade management. He further directed that the next meeting of the board may be convened after two weeks.

The FBR Policy Board approved the minutes of the previous meeting. The members proceeded with the discussion on the proposed terms of reference (ToRs) of the policy board, prepared by Industries & Production Minister Hammad Azhar and former FBR chairman Abdullah Yousaf.

The subcommittee presented the proposed ToRs before policy board for discussion. The board members gave their valuable input to fine tune the same. There was extensive discussion on the task assigned to another subcommittee which included Hammad Azhar and Faizullah Kamoka for designing a mechanism of data sharing between FBR and NADRA.

During the meeting, the chair inquired on the progress of clearance of containers on the Torkham border. He was informed that the situation was back to normal at the Torkham and that the trade was continuing as per usual.

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