Govt pushes ahead with FBR faceless reform

July 18, 2026 (MLN): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a meeting to assess the implementation roadmap and operational preparedness of the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) National Faceless Centre, a flagship initiative under the new Tax Operating Model designed to introduce a centralized, technology-driven and transparent tax administration system.

The meeting received a comprehensive briefing on the project's implementation plan, covering the establishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU), governance structure, technology development, operational readiness and the phased rollout strategy.

Participants also outlined key milestones for the pre-pilot, pilot and implementation stages to ensure timely execution.

Senator Aurangzeb acknowledged the progress made in setting up the PMU and stressed that close coordination between operational and technology teams would be essential for the successful delivery of the project.

He said the National Faceless Centre is an important reform initiative aimed at modernizing tax administration through digitalization, standardization and greater transparency.

The meeting also reviewed the governance framework for the new operating model, including project oversight, risk management and implementation monitoring.

Participants briefed the minister on the development of the risk engine and progress in establishing rules-based case selection for the faceless system.

The finance minister highlighted the importance of a well-planned pilot phase to test the new operating model before its nationwide implementation.

He emphasized the need to ensure operational readiness, identify implementation challenges early and incorporate lessons learned to facilitate a smooth transition.

Participants further discussed technology development, business requirements, digital infrastructure and system integration required for the National Faceless Centre.

The meeting was informed that an agile implementation approach is being adopted to enable continuous collaboration between business and technology teams during the development process.

Emphasizing the protection of digital infrastructure, Senator Aurangzeb said information security and data governance must remain integral to the implementation process.

He also called for continued investment in cybersecurity capabilities and secure digital infrastructure to protect taxpayer information and ensure the long-term sustainability of the new operating model.

The finance minister also directed that regular progress reviews be conducted to monitor implementation milestones, address emerging challenges promptly and keep the project on schedule.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to the successful implementation of the tax administration reform.

The meeting was attended by Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) Faisal Sattar, PRAL Chief Revenue Domain Officer Zain Sahi, PMU Director Zia Agro, PMU Director Javed Iqbal, Additional Director PMU Sardar Omer Sharif, and senior officials of the Finance Division.

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