New Programme Management Unit to oversee nationwide implementation of the National Faceless Centre and modernise tax administration
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has established a dedicated Programme Management Unit (PMU) to oversee the nationwide implementation of the National Faceless Centre (NFC), marking a significant step in its drive to modernise tax administration through digital transformation and reduced taxpayer interaction with tax officials.
In a notification issued on July 14, 2026, the FBR said the PMU will remain operational until the nationwide rollout of the National Faceless Centre is completed or until the unit is dissolved by the Board.
The initiative forms part of the FBR’s broader reform agenda aimed at improving transparency, enhancing operational efficiency and minimising direct contact between taxpayers and tax authorities through a technology-driven operating model.
PMU structure
According to the notification, the Programme Management Unit will be headed by a BS-20 Inland Revenue Service officer, who will serve as the PMU Director.
The unit will also include:
• A Director (Operations), a BS-19 or BS-20 Inland Revenue Service officer nominated on the recommendation of the PMU Director;
• An Additional Director (Technology), a BS-19 Inland Revenue Service officer;
• The Chief Revenue Domain Officer of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), responsible for coordinating all technology-related development activities for the National Faceless Centre; and
• The Chief Executive Officer of PRAL, who will serve as an ex-officio member responsible for institutional accountability of all PRAL technology deliverables and for appointing a dedicated project manager for Phase I.
The notification also authorises the PMU Director, with the approval of the FBR Board, to co-opt additional officers or technical experts for specialised assignments.
Wide-ranging responsibilities
The PMU will be responsible for managing the day-to-day implementation of the National Faceless Centre and coordinating activities among various FBR wings, PRAL and other stakeholders.
Its responsibilities include preparing and maintaining an integrated implementation plan, monitoring programme milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensuring that each implementation phase satisfies all prescribed conditions before progressing to the next stage.
The unit will also coordinate the selection and posting of officers to the National Faceless Centre in consultation with the FBR’s Administration and Human Resources Wing and the Member Inland Revenue (Operations).
To strengthen legal compliance, the PMU will maintain a compliance register tracking higher court judgments to ensure that proceedings conducted through the National Faceless Centre remain consistent with judicial decisions.
In addition, the unit has been tasked with establishing a dedicated data protection workstream, ensuring compliance with data access and usage policies, and preparing the PMU Charter, standard operating procedures (SOPs), KPI framework and other implementation documents.
The FBR may assign additional responsibilities to the PMU as the National Faceless Centre project progresses.
Reporting framework
Under the notification, the PMU Director will report directly to the Member (Administration/HR).
The Director will submit a monthly performance report to the FBR Chairman by the 10th of each month, while a comprehensive 90-day phase review report must be submitted within seven days of every quarterly review.
The FBR has also granted the PMU Director direct access to the Chairman for urgent matters requiring immediate attention and instructed all Board members to extend full cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the National Faceless Centre.
The establishment of the PMU represents another milestone in the FBR’s digital transformation strategy, which seeks to create a more transparent, efficient and technology-driven tax administration system while improving taxpayer services and strengthening compliance.