Tallying up the revenue records

Provincial revenue mobilisation has risen significantly by April 2026, despite economic headwinds, compounded by the spillover effects of the Iran-Israel/US conflict. Collection appears on track to meet full-year targets, signalling a gradual break from past inertia. Lean sub-national tax authorities are gaining traction through the use of new digital data tools, targeted enforcement, risk-based compliance, expansion of the tax base via field surveys, and improved audit and assessment mechanisms. While official consolidation is still pending, responses from revenue authorities of Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh indicate strong performance. All three reported tax collections growing by over 35 per cent in the first 10 months of FY26. Combined collection for the period stands at Rs599 billion, with Sindh marginally ahead of Punjab — Rs289bn versus Rs285bn respectively — while Balochistan reported Rs25bn in April. A response from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority was awaited at the time of filing. A detailed breakdown of revenue sources, including agriculture income tax, was not shared by the provinces. However, in response to queries on new tax avenues, officials pointed to several under-taxed segments at various stages of documentation. Cosmetic clinics have been identified by all provinces as a promising revenue source and are currently being registered and assessed. Pet clinics, like many other emerging services that have so far operated under the radar, are yet to be brought into the tax net. The Rs599bn collection by three provinces is a clear improvement, but is still only a fraction of our true revenue potential “In DHA Phase 6, Karachi, I counted 25 pet clinics within a two-kilometre radius. Over the past five years, some have grown from single-room setups into multi-storey boutique hospitals, charging freely with little regulatory oversight. The crowds inside and outside suggest booming business. While animals deserve proper care, in a country where mill