Pakistan recently underwent an on-site assessment by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. The assessment, conducted from April 23rd to 25th, focused on evaluating Pakistan’s Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) processes, specifically data confidentiality and safeguards.
A high-level delegation of experts from the OECD and tax authorities in Singapore and Mauritius visited Pakistan for the assessment. The team comprised of:
- Gudrun Jenny Jonsdottir (Tax Policy Advisor, OECD)
- Jasmina Trajkovski Ruso (Technical Advisor Information Security Management, OECD)
- Toh Ginn Shyong (Senior Architect, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore)
- Ashwin Luckoo (Section Head, Information Systems Department, Mauritius Revenue Authority)
During their visit, the delegation met with Pakistani officials, including Director General (International Taxes) Aisha Farooq, representatives of the Public Revenue Authority of Lahore (PRAL), and the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) IT Wing.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Farooq emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to international information exchange and data security. Extensive discussions were held over three days, focusing on Pakistan’s AEOI policies and the Information Security Framework implemented by the FBR to guarantee data confidentiality.
Assessing Infrastructure and Procedures
The delegation conducted site visits to key FBR facilities, including the Data Center, Security Operations Center, and the AEOI Center at FBR headquarters. They also visited the AEOI Zone in Islamabad. Additionally, a joint session with the Member (IT) and Director General (International Taxes) provided further insights into Pakistan’s efforts.
The assessment team reportedly expressed appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the FBR to uphold its international commitments regarding data protection.
This positive outcome signifies Pakistan’s dedication to transparency and security in its AEOI implementation.
