Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) here on Monday to discuss revenue reforms and measures aimed at enhancing sectoral competitiveness.
The delegation was led by Usman Zahur, Area Director (APMEAC) & General Manager Pakistan, and included senior representatives from marketing, corporate affairs, and fiscal affairs, according to press release issued by finance ministry. On the occasion, the minister outlined the government’s broader fiscal reform agenda focused on strengthening revenue mobilization, broadening the tax base, improving enforcement, and enhancing transparency through technology-driven systems. He noted that ongoing reforms in tax administration centered on people, processes, and technology are aimed at improving compliance, reducing leakages, and ensuring fair revenue collection across the economy.
The Minister highlighted that enhanced enforcement measures, supported by digitization, technology-based monitoring systems, and coordinated operations by relevant agencies, are contributing to improved compliance and revenue collection in several sectors.
He noted that enforcement actions in industries including sugar, cement, beverages, textiles, and tobacco are helping address illicit and undocumented economic activity. The Finance Minister reiterated that revenue mobilization and effective enforcement remain central to the government’s fiscal reform agenda and emphasized that while the government was committed to ensuring policy consistency and strengthening compliance, all sector-specific proposals would be evaluated in line with broader fiscal objectives and economic priorities. The meeting also discussed export potential and investment opportunities within the tobacco sector and related value-added products.
Earlier, the PTC delegation appreciated the government’s reform and enforcement initiatives and shared views on the tobacco sector, including excise taxation, illicit trade, market dynamics, and export competitiveness.
The delegation acknowledged recent actions against illegal and non-compliant operators and emphasized the importance of a stable and predictable taxation framework to support formal sector growth and sustainable revenue generation.
The delegation highlighted Pakistan’s role as a regional manufacturing and export base for certain product categories and shared perspectives on international market opportunities.
Discussions also covered regulatory and taxation issues, sectoral competitiveness, market trends, and the importance of strengthening enforcement to reduce the share of illicit products operating outside the documented economy. Both sides exchanged views on coordinated enforcement mechanisms involving federal and provincial authorities. Discussions further included regional experiences relating to enforcement, taxation models, and regulatory practices in comparable markets. Separately, Aurangzeb held a meeting with British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott CMG OBE here on Monday and discussed matters of bilateral interests.
The meeting with the British HC, who called on the minister, focused on Pakistan-United Kingdom bilateral cooperation, economic reforms, regional developments and continued engagement on matters of mutual interest, a news release said. During the meeting, the minister shared the government’s perspective on the evolving global economic environment and its implications for Pakistan’s economy, particularly in the context of regional geopolitical developments and energy market volatility.
He outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability, manage external sector pressures, and sustain the momentum of economic reforms aimed at ensuring long-term growth and resilience. Senator Aurangzeb highlighted improvements in key economic indicators, including stability in the external account, continued strength in remittance inflows, and growing investor confidence.
He also briefed the British High Commissioner on measures being undertaken to broaden the tax base, strengthen revenue mobilization, improve compliance, and enhance transparency through technology-driven reforms and digitalization initiatives.
The minister further emphasized the government’s commitment to policy continuity, fiscal discipline, and structural reforms, including efforts to improve public sector efficiency, strengthen institutional coordination, and create an enabling environment for private-sector-led growth and investment.
Discussions also covered the importance of effective communication and public engagement in sustaining support for the reform agenda.
Regional and global developments, including their economic and humanitarian implications, also came under discussion. Both sides acknowledged the importance of dialogue, international cooperation, and coordinated efforts to address emerging challenges affecting economic stability and global supply chains.