ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) collected Rs93.1 billion revenue during the first two months (July-August) of the current fiscal year as against Rs79.5 billion the same period last year, indicating an increase of 17.1 per cent.

Official figures released here on Thursday showed that the revenue target was crossed by 1.2 per cent set for the period under review.

Tax wise collection showed that the revenues on account of direct taxes showed an increase of 19.7 per cent by collecting Rs19.9 billion during the period against Rs16.6 billion the same period last year.

The sales tax collection reached Rs47.5 billion against Rs38.5 billion during the same period last year, a growth of 23.3 per cent.

The tax receipts on account of excise duties recorded an increase of 29.5pc at Rs9 billion during period as against Rs6.9 billion in the corresponding period last year.

However, the statistics showed that revenue from customs duties declined by 4.2pc due to disruptions caused by rains and rail traffic between Karachi and rest of country. The CBR did not release the actual figures of revenue realisation during the period under review.