Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday chaired a weekly review of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), directing authorities to further intensify action against smuggling, tax evasion and illicit trade.
According to a Prime Minister’s Office statement, the meeting was briefed on progress made by Pakistan Customs and other enforcement agencies. Officials said that smuggling costs the national exchequer billions of rupees annually. Shehbaz Sharif commended recent operations, noting that several previously smuggled commodities were now being imported through legal channels.
The meeting also highlighted the operational rollout of an integrated customs enforcement system nationwide. Petrol pumps have been registered through the Rahguzar App, illegal outlets are under legal action, and district administrations have been empowered under the new Petroleum Act to seize illicit machinery. A GPS-based tracking system has been enforced to monitor petroleum transportation.
Revenue data showed that measures to curb petroleum smuggling between July and November 2025 resulted in an 82 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period last year. Enforcement against illegal smuggling of cigarettes, tyres, garments, electronics and other goods also generated significant revenue gains over the past five months.
The prime minister instructed that anti-evasion operations be accelerated and reiterated that no leniency would be shown in cases involving smuggling or tax fraud. He also called on provincial governments to provide full cooperation to the FBR in taking action against illegal petrol pumps.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, FBR Chairman, and senior officials from relevant departments.
