ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb commended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for attaining the highest-ever tax collection in the nation’s history during December 2025. He directed officials to further boost tax revenues, emphasizing the importance of sustaining this performance.
He characterized this milestone as a testament to the success of the government’s fiscal reform initiatives, which have enhanced tax compliance, strengthened enforcement strategies, and implemented digital advancements within the system.
Speaking via video link to FBR field offices, the finance minister highlighted significant strides made over the past 18 months. He pointed to the impressive revenue figures for December 2025, attributing them to economic digitization, promotion of cashless transactions, and strategic enforcement measures that avoided disruptions to business activities. These efforts, he said, are yielding practical and lasting results.
During a briefing, the finance minister was informed that FBR had collected Rs1,427.1 billion in taxes for December 2025, achieving 99 percent of its monthly target of Rs1,446 billion. This represented the highest tax collection ever recorded for the month of December, reflecting improved compliance protocols and effective enforcement mechanisms.
Further details shared during the briefing revealed that the Inland Revenue Service delivered strong results by collecting Rs1,308 billion against a target of Rs1,310 billion, achieving 99.8 percent of its goal. The overall tax collection for December showed a 59 percent increase over November’s figure of Rs898 billion.
The breakdown showed remarkable growth in various categories: income tax collection experienced a 107 percent increase—from Rs402 billion in November to Rs831.5 billion in December; sales tax revenue grew by 25 percent, reaching Rs403.7 billion; and federal excise duty rose by 6 percent to Rs72.8 billion. Customs duty collections also saw a 15 percent increase, totaling Rs118.9 billion.
The briefing underlined that comprehensive monitoring by the FBR Board and the Ministry of Finance’s reform policies have highlighted steady progress toward enhanced tax compliance, improved enforcement, and heightened institutional accountability. It was stressed that achieving sustainable revenue growth relies on further strengthening compliance and enforcement mechanisms, thus easing the tax burden on the formal economy.
The finance minister urged FBR field formations to intensify their efforts in expanding and diversifying the tax base. He expressed confidence in the team’s professional capabilities, commitment, and strategic approach to achieving these critical national goals.
