FBR Cancels Sunday Off to Boost Tax Collection FY25

In a bold move aimed at improving Pakistan’s financial standing, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially ended the weekly holiday for tax officers, directing all concerned staff to work seven days a week to ensure the achievement of the FY2025 tax collection target.

• FBR ends Sunday off for tax officers across Pakistan

• The move aims to meet the ambitious FY25 tax revenue target

• New directive applies immediately, including weekends

• Mixed response from FBR staff and financial experts

• Citizens anticipate faster resolution of tax-related issues

• The government emphasizes the importance of tax collection for economic stability

Pakistan is grappling with a massive fiscal deficit and has set an ambitious tax collection goal for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. The government, under pressure from international lending bodies like the IMF, is making aggressive reforms to increase tax compliance and broaden the tax net.

Revenue targets must be met to avoid further loans, devaluation, or budgetary cuts. As a result, the FBR has taken unprecedented steps — including ending the weekly holiday — to maximize revenue collection potential.

According to sources, the FY25 tax collection target stands at over PKR 12 trillion, a record-high figure. To achieve this, the FBR is:

• Implementing automation and digitization of tax services

• Expanding the tax net to previously untaxed sectors

• Cracking down on non-filers and tax evaders

• Increasing field audits and investigations

• Boosting collection efforts, now including weekend operations

The removal of Sundays as an off-day is intended to speed up processing, clear backlogs, and make taxpayer services more accessible throughout the week.

The new work directive issued by the FBR Chairman specifies:

• All tax offices will remain open from Monday to Sunday

• Officers in Inland Revenue, Customs, and Field Formations are included

• The only exceptions are national holidays

• Extra hours may be compensated with future leave or monetary allowances (under discussion)

While the decision is being enforced nationwide, it has sparked mixed reactions among FBR staff:

“We understand the urgency, but work-life balance is crucial. Working non-stop will affect morale and efficiency,” said a senior tax officer from Karachi.

“We’re committed to helping Pakistan out of the crisis. If this helps meet the target, we’re in,” said another officer from Islamabad.

Some officers have requested rotational shifts instead of outright removal of holidays to maintain productivity and employee well-being.

The private sector and tax consultants have responded with cautious optimism:

• Pros:

  • Faster response time on tax queries

  • Quicker processing of refunds and returns

  • Extended hours provide more flexibility for business owners

• Cons:

  • Concerns about staff burnout leading to errors

  • Lack of clear guidelines on overtime compensation

“If FBR wants cooperation from taxpayers, it must ensure its officers aren’t overworked,” said an analyst from the Pakistan Tax Bar Association.

Pakistan is not alone in intensifying its revenue generation efforts. Other developing nations have also made similar moves:

• India’s CBDT extends hours during peak tax season

• Bangladesh’s NBR occasionally opens on weekends

• Egypt and Kenya have launched tax reform task forces

However, few countries have gone as far as to eliminate weekly holidays for their tax officers.

Economists believe that while the decision appears drastic, it reflects the urgency of Pakistan’s economic challenges:

“This is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Pakistan needs to focus on policy reforms, simplifying tax codes, and ensuring transparency,” said Dr. Saeed Niazi, a tax policy expert at LUMS.

Some suggest using AI-powered systems and chatbots to reduce manual workloads instead of overburdening human officers.

The removal of weekly holidays for FBR officers marks a historic shift in Pakistan’s tax administration policy. While the move reflects the government’s determination to achieve its FY25 targets, it must be backed by employee support, digital upgrades, and strategic communication with the public.

Pakistan stands at a critical juncture. With collective effort — from both taxpayers and tax enforcers — the country can potentially unlock new levels of fiscal stability and economic independence.