Islamabad, August 7, 2024 – The government on Wednesday appointed Rashid Mahmood, a BS-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, as the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Mahmood, previously serving as the Secretary of the Power Division, has been appointed to the FBR position with immediate effect. Mahmood takes over from Amjad Zubair Tiwana, who resigned about a week ago before reaching the age of superannuation. As the 40th chairman of the FBR, Mahmood is expected to steer the organization through significant challenges, including achieving the ambitious revenue collection targets set for the current fiscal year. The appointment of Mahmood comes at a critical juncture for the FBR, as the government emphasizes the need for substantial revenue generation to meet economic goals. The FBR’s target for this fiscal year is notably high, reflecting the government’s intent to enhance tax revenue to fund development projects and manage fiscal deficits. In addition to meeting revenue targets, Mahmood faces the complex task of broadening the tax base. This involves identifying and bringing more taxpayers into the formal economy, which has been a persistent issue for Pakistan. Enhancing tax compliance and reducing evasion will be crucial to expanding the tax base and increasing overall revenue. Digitalization of the FBR is another significant challenge Mahmood will need to address. Modernizing…