ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 : Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday lauded the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) recent anti-smuggling operations and directed authorities to further intensify action against tax evasion and illicit trade.
Chairing a weekly performance review meeting of the FBR, the prime minister was briefed on progress made in curbing smuggling and strengthening enforcement measures. He noted that smuggling causes annual losses of billions of rupees to the national exchequer and stressed that decisive action was essential to protect Pakistan’s economic interests, according to a Prime Minister’s Office news release.
Commending the role of Pakistan Customs, the prime minister said effective enforcement had significantly reduced smuggling across the country. He described the results as encouraging, noting that several commodities previously smuggled were now being imported through legal channels and incorporated into the formal economy.
The prime minister instructed authorities to further accelerate efforts against tax evasion, reiterating that no leniency would be shown in cases involving smuggling or tax fraud. He also directed provincial governments to extend full cooperation to the FBR in taking legal action against illegal petrol pumps.
Officials informed the meeting that an integrated customs enforcement system had been implemented nationwide to prevent smuggling. It was also briefed that petrol pumps across the country had been registered through the Rahguzar App, while legal proceedings against illegal outlets were ongoing. Under the new Petroleum Act, district administrations have been empowered to seize illegal machinery, and a GPS-based tracking system has been enforced for the transportation of petroleum products.
According to the briefing, measures taken between July and November 2025 to curb petroleum smuggling resulted in an 82 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period last year. Significant revenue gains were also recorded over the past five months following actions against the illegal smuggling of cigarettes, tyres, garments, electronics, and other goods.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman FBR, and senior officials from relevant departments.