PPP MNA Wants to Reset FBR After Struggling With PTA Tax

PPP MNA Kasim Gillani has called for elected representatives to be included in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), arguing that Pakistan’s tax policy is largely shaped by bureaucrats while Parliament has little influence until the final stages of the legislative process.

The demand comes after months of parliamentary debate over the controversial withholding tax regime on digitally enabled services and cashless transactions, including taxes collected through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

In a post on X on Thursday, Gillani wrote, “No taxation without representation,” saying that after more than six months of working with Parliament and the FBR to seek relief from the unfair PTA tax regime, he had concluded that elected lawmakers are largely excluded from tax policy formulation.

He said tax policy is “overwhelmingly shaped by bureaucrats,” while members of Parliament only get an opportunity to influence proposals during the committee stage, when most key decisions have already been made.

Gillani said he would advocate for parliamentary representation on the FBR Board so that elected representatives are involved in tax policy from the outset rather than after proposals have already been finalized.

“If Parliament represents the people, it must also have a voice where tax policy is formulated,” he wrote, adding that taxpayers deserve to have their elected representatives involved where tax decisions are made.

Gillani has repeatedly raised concerns over the PTA withholding tax regime in recent months, calling for relief for taxpayers and greater parliamentary oversight of tax measures affecting ordinary citizens.

His latest proposal seeks a structural change in FBR by giving Parliament a formal role in its tax decisions.