ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound satisfaction with the impressive progress and performance of the faceless customs assessment system, describing it as a significant stride toward achieving greater transparency and efficiency in Pakistan’s revenue operations.
During a high-level meeting convened to discuss Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) affairs, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted that the introduction of faceless customs assessments has begun to yield tangible results. He noted a marked reduction in human interference and opportunities for corruption within customs processes. “These reforms are yielding promising outcomes in our quest for transparency,” PM Shehbaz stated, emphasizing that faceless customs have effectively revolutionized the way customs duties are assessed and collected across Pakistan.
Commitment to economic stability & accountability
The Prime Minister firmly reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to transforming Pakistan into an economically stable and globally competitive nation. He underscored that faceless customs assessments represent an essential pillar of the broader institutional reforms currently underway across multiple sectors, all aimed at eradicating corruption and inefficiency.
In a move to ensure objective oversight and reinforce the credibility of the FBR’s initiatives, the Prime Minister instructed the hiring of internationally acclaimed firms to conduct third-party validation of ongoing reforms, including the faceless customs system.
Tangible results & future digitalization
Officials present at the meeting briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz on the faceless customs system’s outstanding performance. They highlighted a remarkable increase in revenue collection, coupled with a substantial reduction in customs clearance times. This streamlined system has effectively eliminated delays and significantly curtailed opportunities for corrupt practices by removing the need for direct, face-to-face interactions during customs processes.
Progress was also reported on Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), the entity spearheading digital reforms that complement the faceless customs initiative. Plans are reportedly underway to launch a simplified digital tax return system, designed to be accessible in Urdu and other local languages, aiming to make tax compliance significantly easier for everyday citizens.
The meeting saw the attendance of key officials, including Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, the Chairman of the FBR, and senior officials from relevant departments. Prime Minister Shehbaz’s strong endorsement of the faceless customs system underscores the government’s determined push toward fostering transparency, efficiency, and ultimately, greater economic stability.
