The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman is dissatisfied with the performance of officers and has stepped up pressure on them to improve tax collection.

FBR tax offices remained open on Saturday on the chairman’s instructions, sources said.

During a recent meeting, senior and junior officers at FBR headquarters and field offices were questioned about revenue collection and their overall performance.

Two officers were also suspended. One was suspended for lacking knowledge of the Track and Trace System, while another was suspended for failing to issue a required sales tax SRO, according to sources.

FBR management now expects officers to deliver stronger results after being provided vehicles and other facilities, sources said.

The tax authority met its collection target in July but fell short by around Rs28 billion in August.

Sources said FBR may also need to change its current approach to meeting field-level targets. Some field offices are reportedly reaching monthly targets by agreeing with taxpayers on fixed amounts to be collected each month.

While this can help meet short-term targets, such practices may not provide a sustainable basis for expanding tax revenue.

A lasting increase in tax collection requires stronger economic activity and a broader tax base. Excessive pressure to meet monthly targets could also increase the burden on taxpayers and businesses and result in more disputes and court cases.