Written by Faisal Shahnawaz in Taxation, Top stories Retailers who missed the October 31 tax return deadline face enforcement action and penalties as the government moves to strengthen tax compliance and broaden Pakistan’s tax base. Islamabad, November 3, 2026: The federal government is preparing to impose fines and penalties on retailers who failed to file tax returns under the Tajir Dost Scheme, following the expiry of the October 31, 2026 deadline. Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Tuesday that the government was preparing to enter the enforcement phase of the scheme. He explained that retailers failing to comply would face penalties in addition to their statutory obligation to file income tax returns. The committee reviewed the implementation of the Tajir Dost Scheme during a meeting in Islamabad, expressing concern over the lower-than-expected response from retailers despite extensive consultations with trade organisations and business representatives. Kayani reiterated the government’s commitment to broadening the tax base and ensuring effective implementation of the scheme. The committee was also informed that consultations had been held with the Attorney General for Pakistan and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure that proposed enforcement measures were legally and procedurally sound. The detailed enforcement plan would be finalised and subsequently submitted to the Prime Minister. Export…