Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was featured as a global case study in public sector reform during the World Bank Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C., where the institution’s successful tax transformation initiative was recognized for its effectiveness and innovation. The session was attended by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Secretary Finance, Secretary Economic Affairs Division, and other senior officials. The invitation marked an important acknowledgment of Pakistan’s progress in building a transparent and efficient revenue administration that aligns with global best practices.
During the session, the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue highlighted that Pakistan has implemented one of its most comprehensive institutional reforms in recent years. He noted that the transformation plan is entirely homegrown, developed with local expertise, and backed by the Prime Minister and Federal Cabinet. The initiative focuses on enhancing efficiency, compliance, and transparency across all levels of tax administration. The minister emphasized that the reforms have already started to yield results, with visible signs of improvement in operations and service delivery to taxpayers.
Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial, in his detailed presentation, shared that Pakistan has achieved a significant rise in its tax-to-GDP ratio from 8.83 percent in fiscal year 2023–24 to 10.33 percent in fiscal year 2024–25, marking the strongest single-year growth in over two decades. He attributed this success to a data-driven transformation plan that emphasizes accountability, digital integration, and structured governance. The chairman explained that the process began with an intensive eight-week planning sprint in 2024, incorporating feedback from field officers across the country and supported by a dedicated Delivery Unit. He pointed out that technology is an enabler of reform but not the sole factor, as long-term success requires structural and procedural change in tax administration.
A key highlight of the presentation was the introduction of IRIS 3.0, FBR’s next-generation digital tax platform aimed at simplifying tax filing through pre-filled data and automated workflows. The system is designed to make tax compliance easier for citizens while improving data accuracy and reducing manual intervention. The presentation received strong praise from participants, with Egypt’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk describing Pakistan’s efforts as a model for reform implementation. He remarked that in his decade-long experience with the World Bank, he had not witnessed a more compelling example of tax system transformation.
World Bank officials, including Sandeep Mahajan, Regional Practice Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, also commended Pakistan’s achievement. He stated that FBR’s approach should be promoted globally as a case study for domestic resource mobilization and fiscal development. The session ended with widespread appreciation from attendees, reflecting international recognition of Pakistan’s strides in public sector transformation and digital innovation within its revenue administration framework.
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