In a landmark move, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement to award blue passports, honour cards and honorary ambassador status to leading taxpayers and exporters signifies a pivotal recognition of their role in driving the country’s economy. This initiative not only celebrates their invaluable contribution but also serves as a catalyst for encouraging greater participation from individuals and sectors in the tax net. These individuals are the unsung heroes of our economy and by ac-knowledging their efforts, the government sets a compelling example to inspire others to prioritize tax compliance and contribute to economic productivity.
This initiative mirrors similar practices observed in other countries where ex-emplary taxpayers are rewarded with special privileges and recognition. For in-stance, countries like Sweden and Norway have schemes in place to honor top taxpayers, offering them various incentives and benefits as a token of apprecia-tion for their contribution to the national exchequer. However, while celebrating the achievements of compliant taxpayers and leading exporters is essential, it is equally crucial to address tax evasion rigorously. Strict measures must be im-plemented to combat tax evasion effectively. Moreover, expanding the tax net to encompass more sectors and individuals is imperative for reducing the burden on honest taxpayers and enhancing revenue collection. The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) initiative to digitize its processes marks a significant step to-wards achieving this goal. Digitalization will not only streamline tax procedures but also enhance transparency and efficiency, thereby bolstering revenue collec-tion and curbing tax evasion. Enhancing the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio, which in our case is lowest in the region, is crucial for financing social sector devel-opment and infrastructure projects. It is also incumbent upon each of us, as citi-zens, to fulfill our tax obligations honestly if we genuinely aspire to see our country shine in the comity of nations.
