Government Plans Multilingual Digital Tax System to Make FBR Services Easier
The government is now introducing new measures to ensure that the tax services are more friendly and accessible to all people in Pakistan. During a recent review meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to develop tax platforms in Urdu and regional languages so that more people can easily access tax services online.
This is a part of the government’s initiatives in 2026 to ensure that the taxation system is more friendly and accessible to all people in the country.
Making Online Tax Systems Easier for Everyone
Currently, many online systems of the FBR are only in English. This has made it difficult for some people to use the online systems. The government has asked the FBR to ensure that important online tax services are available in Urdu and other regional languages so that this problem can be resolved.
In the coming future, the following online services will be available in multiple languages:
The IRIS Tax Portal for tax submission
The Automated Tax System, which will automatically process the taxes
A digital billing system for businesses
The aim is to ensure that people who are not proficient in English are able to understand the system and easily fulfill their tax requirements.
Strengthening Tax Enforcement with Technology
As part of the move to make the online tax systems more user-friendly, the government is doing its best to strengthen tax enforcement with technology.
During the meeting, the prime minister emphasized the importance of automation and digital surveillance in key sectors. He also valued the appointment of seasoned experts to lead Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited, who are crucial to the development of FBR’s electronic systems.
Officials believe that strengthening PRAL will help modernize Pakistan’s tax infrastructure and make the system more efficient.
Extension of Digital Monitoring in Key Sectors
The authorities have also informed the participants that some of the latest monitoring tools are already in use in key sectors. These tools include:
- Video analytics systems
• Barcode scanning technology
• Production unit counting
• Product stamping and serialization systems
The monitoring systems are already in use in sectors such as sugar, cement, tobacco, and fertilizers.
In 2026, the government will extend these monitoring systems to other sectors such as:
- Textile
• Leather
• Paper manufacturing
• Automobile industry
• Beverage industry
The government believes that the new monitoring systems will help them raise billions of rupees in additional tax revenues.
Reforms to Improve Trust among Taxpayers
In addition, the government is focusing on legal reforms to increase transparency in tax disputes. With the government’s amendment to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees law, tax-related disputes can now be successfully settled.
By June 30, 2026, the reforms are expected to recover Rs. 80 billion in taxes.
It was also mentioned that the government officials have managed to recover Rs102.9 billion in taxes for the period between July 2025 and January 2026, while the pending tax cases have the potential to generate Rs369 billion by mid-2026.
Rapid Progress in Digital Tax Infrastructure
FBR’s digital transformation is also progressing quickly in other areas.
Officials reported that the digital invoicing system managed by PRAL generated invoices worth nearly Rs800 billion between January and February 2026. The target is to take this number to Rs3 trillion by April 2026.
There are also other digital projects in progress, which include:
- Development of a modern data center for FBR
• Introduction of digital cargo tracking
• Launch of the ‘e-Bilty’ system for the transportation of goods
• Implementation of GPS technology to track petroleum products to curb smuggling.
Final Thoughts
The government’s initiative to make Urdu and regional languages available in digital tax systems may have a positive impact on taxpayers’ engagement in Pakistan.
Due to the simpler digital system, monitoring, and changes in laws, the government aims to establish a more transparent and efficient taxation system in 2026 and beyond.
If these steps are taken seriously, they may help people and organizations to comply with taxation laws, and at the same time, help the government raise funds in a correct and appropriate way by documenting the economy.