Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has ruled out handing over tax assessment and collection powers to private companies, saying no domestic or foreign firm will receive such authority during his tenure.

The statement comes amid reports that the government had considered outsourcing FBR field offices to improve tax collection.

An FBR spokesperson said no proposal to outsource any Inland Revenue or Customs field office was currently under consideration. The spokesperson also confirmed that the tax authority had not issued any domestic or international tender for outsourcing.

However, sources said proposals to outsource field offices had been discussed at a meeting a few days earlier as part of the broader FBR reform process.

According to the sources, the proposals were aimed at increasing tax revenue and had been put forward by consultants from international firms working on FBR reforms.

Some FBR officers reportedly opposed the proposals, which have been put on hold for now, the sources added.

The FBR spokesperson said a broader process of institutional reforms and organisational changes was underway. The department would inform the media once final decisions were made.