TPO placed under FD through amendments to rules of business

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has amended Rules of Business, 1973 to officially bring the Tax Policy Office (TPO) within the domain of Finance Division to ensure preparation of the next federal budget (2026-27) relating to the taxes by the TPO.

In this regard, the Cabinet Division has issued amended/updated Rules of Business, 1973 here on Tuesday.

After amendments in the Rules of Business, 1973, the tax policy function has been taken away from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The next Finance Bill 2026 relating to the budget proposals of income tax, sales tax and federal excise duty would be prepared by the TPO.

The Strategic Digital Wallet Company will also operate under the administrative control of the Finance Division.

READ MORE: Tax Policy Office asks businessmen to submit budget proposals for 2026-27

The Rules of Business, 1973 has been amended vide SRO 687(I)/2026, dated 24.04.2026 whereby in Schedule-II, sub-clause 33 has been added in the clause 12 to officially create TPO within Finance Division. Furthermore, vide newly inserted sub-clause 31C, the Finance Acts has been entrusted to Finance Division.

Officials told Business Recorder that the next federal budget for 2026-27 about taxes, would be prepared by the Tax Policy Office.

The Tax Policy function has been taken away from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and transferred to the Tax Policy Office of the Finance Ministry. The operations and administrative functions would be carried out by the FBR.

The Policy Board will become redundant after the creation of the Tax Policy Office in the Ministry of Finance, sources said.

In this regard, the Rules of Business has been amended to fully empower the Tax Policy Office to operationalize and conduct tax policy functions, they added.

Moreover, Pakistan Information Commission has been placed under Information and Broadcasting Division. Now Divisions are duty bound to responds to other Divisions within 3 working days.

In cases of summaries to be moved to the cabinet division, where the proposal involves amendments to any law or set of rules, a comparative statement shall be appended, clearly juxtaposing the existing provisions with the proposed provisions, amended Rules of Business.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026