Karachi, June 17, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a significant step toward enhancing transparency and efficiency in trade-related audits by deploying 60 third-party auditors across Pakistan Customs.
The move aims to reinforce audit operations within the Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) & Internal Audit, a vital component of the FBR’s ongoing transformation strategy.
To facilitate the onboarding of these auditors, the FBR has issued detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifically designed to streamline the deployment process. These SOPs will apply across all regional field formations under the Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit & Internal Audit (Customs), including the Headquarters, North, Central, and South zones. The FBR emphasized that the SOPs will ensure consistency, quality, and effectiveness in the utilization of auditors, aligning with institutional goals.
The regional distribution of the third-party auditors has been finalized as follows: FBR Headquarters (02 auditors), North Region (10 auditors), Central Region (18 auditors), and South Region (30 auditors). This structured allocation is expected to bolster the audit capacity of customs authorities involved in the clearance of foreign trade.
The FBR has also announced the formation of Evaluation Committees for each region, including the headquarters. These committees will be tasked with conducting assessments—either physically or virtually—to evaluate the competency of auditors shortlisted by HR firms. While the initial responsibility for vetting candidates lies with the HR firms, the Evaluation Committees will ensure only qualified professionals are approved for deployment.
The core responsibilities of these committees include:
• Conducting structured assessments of the third-party auditors presented by HR firms.
• Evaluating the suitability and technical capabilities of the proposed candidates.
• Submitting a final list of recommended auditors to the FBR Headquarters for final approval.
This initiative underscores the FBR’s commitment to strengthening institutional audit functions within Pakistan Customs. By enhancing the role of auditors in post-clearance scrutiny, the FBR aims to improve compliance, reduce revenue leakages, and modernize customs processes in line with international standards.