Categories: Social Media News

How Pakistan is revving up a fight against tax dodgers

A man walks out of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) office in Islamabad.

FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP via Getty Images/FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP via Getty Images

FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP via Getty Images/FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP via Getty Images

Pakistan has had some major economic bumps as of late, including a near default in 2023. At the root: seriously low tax collection. Millions of Pakistan residents opt out of paying income taxes entirely. This is a problem a lot of lower- and middle-income countries face. On today’s show, we talk about why there are so many tax dodgers in Pakistan and what the government is trying to do about it. 

Related episodes: 

Is the US pushing countries towards China?

A brief history of income taxes 

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  

Social Media Asia Editor

Recent News

From Fire & Fury To Full Stop: Trump’s 24-Hour Iran U-Turn

Over the span of 24 hours, US President Donald Trump shifted from warning Iran of…

10 hours ago

U.S. and Iran agree to a conditional ceasefire. What happens now?

The ceasefire came after hastened diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan, hours before U.S. President Donald…

10 hours ago

Iran, China move to promote Yuan in oil trade amid US-Israel ceasefire

For Tehran and Beijing, elevating the yuan is a win-win. Web Desk April 8, 2026…

10 hours ago

China Beats US To Become India’s Top Trade Partner In FY26

China has become India’s largest trading partner in FY2026, maintaining its top position for the…

10 hours ago

‘Chinamaxxing’: Asia’s megacities should follow China’s lead in electrifying urban transport

Urbanization and births will add a billion more people between now and 2050. Jakarta and…

10 hours ago

What’s behind latest outrage in Malaysia against drink-driving

KUALA LUMPUR – A string of fatal drink-driving crashes in Malaysia has put road safety…

11 hours ago