PESHAWAR: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Muhammad Asim Ahmad said despite the revenue shortfall and depressing economic conditions, the revenue target of Rs4.470 trillion for this fiscal year would be achieved.

In this regard, the FBR chief said serious measures have been taken for broadening the tax-base by bringing new people under the tax-net.

Asim Ahmad while addressing a ceremony in connection with World’s Customs Day held at the lush green garden of the Model Custom House Peshawar on Thursday said economic condition is highly depressing whereas FBR is facing a revenue shortfall as well.

He, however, said FBR has taken initiatives to revive the country’s feeble economy, as a result of measures, exports and imports proceeds have been accelerated.

Despite the prevailing scenario, he expressed high optimism that FBR will achieve its tax collection target set for the current financial year.

Chief Collector Customs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Saleem, Chief Commissioner Regional Tax Office Peshawar, Aqeel Ahmad Siddique, collectors, tax-officials, Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Hafiz Mohibullah, Frontier Custom Agents Association president Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, SCCI president Muhammad Ishaq, Director General Custom Intelligence Faiz Muhammad, Collector Enforcement Moeen, Collector Appraisement Ashfaq Ahmad, Collector DI Khan Yousaf Haider, FC high officials along with foreign diplomats, senior customs officials, officers, various chambers presidents, and members of business community, traders, representatives of tax bar associations and others were present during the ceremony.

Asim Ahmad said the world has moved forward with support initiatives such as automation and data sharing.

He vowed that efforts would be made to overcome the tax gap between customs and Inland Revenue within a short span of time.

Earlier, he said FBR had focused maximum on collection of indirect taxes. However, he maintained for the first time in the history of the country that we have much involvement in collection of direct tax against indirect tax.

Asim Ahmad while talking to reporters after attending the ceremony said there were many factors and reasons for rising rates of dollars. Though, he said duties in this regard of the customs, which are performing efficiently.

He informed that the limit of carrying dollars abroad has been decreased by the State Bank of Pakistan to $5,000 from $10,000. He said the government is highly serious about this matter.

Rs7.470 trillion tax collection targets would be achieved in this year, the FBR chief hoped.

Initiatives have taken the FBR on modern lines and advancement. Asim Ahmad informed the participants that this years Customs Day theme is to remove the tax gap.

We have imposed and increased taxes on the upper class, the FBR chief said, while responding to a question of a reporter. He added serious measures were made to bring the new people under the tax-net.

Asim Ahmad continued to say that under the pragmatic steps, FBR is collecting taxes from non-filer and bringing them in the tax-net.

In reply to another query, he clarified that department actions would be carried out by any official, if in case of any involvement in any corruption and malpractices.

To a question, the FBR chief said they have achieved major success in eradication of money laundering and efforts are made to control dollar smuggling. He said a limit has been fixed for carrying dollars abroad.

Further initiatives are being placed to control dollar smuggling, Asim Ahmad said. To another question, the FBR chairman said efforts have also been initiated to open for 24/7 of all those border points wherein maximum trade is being carried out with Afghanistan.

Chief Collector Customs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Saleem also addressed the ceremony and highlighted key achievements and role of Pakistan’s customs and initiatives that had been made for facilitating the business community.

Earlier, the FBR chief Asim Ahmad laid a floral wreath during a visit to the martyrs’ monument. He, on the occasion, offered prayers for the departed souls of martyrs.

Before the formal start of the ceremony, a guard of honour was also presented to the FBR chairman.

The customs officials from various divisions and districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also participated in the World’s Customs Day.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023