FBR's faceless system set for expansion with AI support

January 14, 2025 (MLN): The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been directed to expand its faceless customs system and collaborate with the information technology (IT) ministry for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the process.

The aforementioned information was discussed by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif during separate meetings to review matters related to the FBR and the housing ministry.

During the FBR meeting, he emphasized that after its success in Karachi, the faceless customs assessment system should be expanded and implemented in other cities as soon as possible, according to the press releaes.

He instructed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, along with the FER, to collaborate on further improving the system.

He also directed the system on artificial intelligence by minimizing human intervention.

The Prime Minister stated that the Faceless Customs Assessment System should be expanded and implemented in other cities after Karachi, ensuring that all imports nationwide can benefit from the system.

He also instructed the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing the track and trace system across various industrial sectors.

The meeting received a briefing on the recent reforms in the FBR.

The briefing highlighted that the faceless customs system would be fully operational at all terminals of Karachi Port by the end of next month.

It was said that efforts are underway to ensure its operation nationwide soon and a central control room is being established to monitor the faceless customs system.

It was further informed that mobile signal jammers and CCTV cameras are also being installed at all terminals to enhance the transparency of the system.

The meeting was informed that a transparent recruitment process for the new customs system had been launched, while a track and trace system was implemented across all industrial units in the tobacco, fertilizers, sugar, and cement sectors.

It was reported that the implementation of the track and trace system resulted in a substantial increase in revenue from the tobacco, sugar, cement, and fertilizer industries in the fiscal year 2023-2024, compared to the previous year.

The meeting was also informed that, following the prime minister’s directive, the upgrade of the web based One Customs has begun, with its design set to be completed by the end of March.

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