Islamabad, June 2, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep satisfaction on Monday regarding the impressive progress and performance of the faceless customs assessment system, describing it as a significant step toward transparency and efficiency in Pakistan’s revenue operations.
During a high-level meeting on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) affairs, PM Shehbaz highlighted that the introduction of faceless customs assessments has begun to deliver tangible results, reducing human interference and corruption in customs processes. “These reforms are yielding promising outcomes in our quest for transparency,” Shehbaz said, emphasizing that faceless customs have revolutionized the way customs duties are assessed and collected in Pakistan.
Shehbaz firmly stated that the government is steadfast in its commitment to making Pakistan an economically stable and globally competitive nation. He acknowledged that faceless customs assessments were an essential pillar of broader institutional reforms underway across multiple sectors to eliminate corruption and inefficiency.
In the meeting, the prime minister instructed the hiring of internationally acclaimed firms to conduct third-party validation of ongoing reforms, including the faceless customs system. This step aims to ensure objective monitoring and to reinforce the credibility of FBR’s initiatives.
Officials briefed Shehbaz on the faceless customs system’s outstanding performance, noting a remarkable increase in revenue collection alongside a substantial reduction in customs clearance times. This streamlined system has effectively eliminated delays and reduced opportunities for corrupt practices by removing the need for face-to-face customs interactions.
Progress was also reported on Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), which is spearheading digital reforms that complement the faceless customs initiative. Plans are underway to launch a simplified digital tax return system accessible in Urdu and other local languages, making tax compliance easier for everyday citizens.
Attending the meeting were Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, the Chairman of FBR, and senior officials from relevant departments. PM Shehbaz’s endorsement of the faceless customs system underlines the government’s determined push toward transparency, efficiency, and economic stability.