BusinessCurrent AffairsPakistan

Economic Affairs Minister Directs FBR to Ensure Progress in World Bank-funded Project

The Minister for Economic Affairs, Omer Ayub Khan, directed the Federal Board of Revenue on 6 September to complete all the Disbursement Linked Indicators at the earliest to ensure timely disbursement in the $400 million Pakistan Raises Revenue project.

He chaired a meeting to discuss the progress on the World Bank-funded projects under the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The World Bank has allocated $400 million to Pakistan for the Pakistan Raises Revenue program that focuses on domestic resource mobilization through the automation of tax collection processes and the simplification of tax compliance procedures.

Of the $400 million, $320 million was set aside to develop a simple and transparent tax system to ensure the control of taxpayer obligations, build compliance facilitation, and promote institutional development. The remaining $80 million is for the up-gradation of the FBR’s information technology system.

It was reported earlier that the World Bank had downgraded the project’s progress rating last year from satisfactory to moderately satisfactory after the lender had disbursed around $100 million.

The former Chairman of the FBR, Asim Ahmad, had briefed the World Bank’s Country Director in April 2021, and had vowed to give him a detailed presentation on the impediments that the FBR is facing, with particular regard to Component 1 of the reforms program which covers $320 million.

Officials also discussed the World Bank’s funded projects, including the Housing Finance Project, Public Finance Management, and the Sindh Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project, during the meeting.

Related posts
CRICKETiccworldcup2023PakistanSports

Why did Shaheen, Shadab not bowl in New Zealand warm-up match?

Two main Pakistan bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan didn’t bowl on Friday in the first…
Read more
Asiacup 2023PakistanSports

Top-ranked Pakistan all set to take on India

KARACHI: The world’s top cricket team, Pakistan, and its archrivals India will battle on the…
Read more
Current AffairsPakistan

Electricity crisis and the rising spectre of social unrest

There has been an increase of 108% in gas bills. Only 20% of total electricity bill pertains to…
Read more
Newsletter
Become a Trendsetter
Sign up for Davenport’s Daily Digest and get the best of Davenport, tailored for you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *