According to media reports, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the interim finance minister, plans to use a presidential ordinance to carry out the FBR reforms program by the end of this month, which is less than ten days before the elections. She thinks that in a few years, the reforms will increase tax revenue collection from the current 8.5 percent to 15 percent. The FBR bureaucracy, for its part, is against it because it fears losing its limitless privileges and having less discretionary power taken away. They therefore wish to defer the decision regarding FBR reorganization to the upcoming elected administration. In order to make taxation equitable and fair while increasing collection, it is imperative and crucial to reorganize the Board, separate policy from tax collection, introduce technology, and limit the discretionary powers of FBR officials.
