ISLAMABAD: In major development, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended Tajir Dost scheme to 42 cities.

Previously limited to six major cities, scheme now covers Abbottabad, Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Dera Ismail Khan, Faisalabad, Ghotki, Gujarat, Gwadar, Hafizabad, Haripur, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jhang, Jhelum, Karachi, Kasur, Khushab, Lahore, Larkana, Lasbela, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Mansehra, Mardan, Mirpurkhas, Multan, Nankana, Narowal, Peshawar, Quetta, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Sukkur and Toba Tek Singh. Federal Board of Revenue has released notification outlining new Tajir Dost Special Services Rules 2024.

These rules are designed to improve trader registration and compliance. Under scheme, traders are required to pay monthly advance tax ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, depending on fair market value of their shops, as determined by FBR. This ensures transparent and fair tax process, promoting tax collection and formalisation within trading community.Government's strategic expansion aims to stimulate economic activity, enhance tax compliance, and meet IMF reform benchmarks. By including more cities, initiative seeks to integrate larger number of traders into formal economy, contributing to overall economic stability and growth.