ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to specially focus the automation of tax fixation, collection and refund processes. Chairing a meeting to review the ongoing reforms process in FBR, the prime minister called for prioritizing the simplification of the tax forms meant for individuals, companies particularly the SMEs.

Federal ministers Hammad Azhar, Senator Shibli Faraz, Asad Umar, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Commerce Advisor Abdul Razzak Dawood, SAPM Lt-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa (Retd) and senior officers attended the meeting.

The prime minister said the promotion of tax culture, facilitation of taxpayers, addressing the reservations of business community and purging FBR of corrupt elements were the incumbent government's priorities.

He directed to set time lines for accomplishing the set targets for reforms and furnish progress report regularly. While emphasizing for effective measures to curb cross border smuggling, the prime minister directed the FBR chairman to take measures for effective monitoring at all crossing points at borders.