ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced that non-filers will no longer have any leeway in the country. During an interview with U.S. media, he stated that those who fail to file taxes will face severe restrictions and the term “non-filer” will be eliminated in Pakistan.
He emphasized that the government now has complete information about non-filers, including their lifestyle, vehicle ownership, and international travel. Due to hidden incomes and tax evasion, such individuals will face new limitations. The minister also assured that the burden placed on the salaried class in the budget would be reduced.
Minister Aurangzeb further added that retailers, wholesalers, the agriculture sector, and real estate will be brought into the tax net. The government has already presented its economic reform plan to the IMF, as it had no other option. Every sector currently outside the tax net will be included moving forward.
Despite an increase in revenue last year, Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio remained at just 9%, which the minister said is insufficient for economic stability.
He acknowledged that China and Saudi Arabia had assisted Pakistan in securing the IMF program and expressed the hope that this would be the final IMF program for the country.
![Local residents at the Swat River, which is overflowing due to pre-monsoon heavy rains in the area on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat Valley [Sherin Zada/AP]](https://mmnews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Flooding-in-Swat-river-350x250.jpg)
