Pakistan Introduces AI-Based Customs Clearance and Risk Management System for the First Time Under PM’s Directive

Islamabad: For the first time in Pakistan’s history, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced an AI-based Customs Clearance and Risk Management System, following the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The new system aims to reduce human intervention, making the process more efficient, saving both time and money.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, a review meeting was held under the chairmanship of PM Shehbaz Sharif to assess the ongoing reforms within the FBR. During the meeting, measures based on video analytics to enhance tax collection in the manufacturing sector were also discussed.
The AI-based system will allow for automated and transparent tax collection in specific sectors, which is expected to increase government revenue. Taxpayers will be able to make payments without human intervention, streamlining the process.
The meeting was also informed that the new system is cost-effective and has shown a 98% efficiency rate in initial testing. It was revealed that the AI and bots would estimate the cost and nature of goods during import and export, while a new risk management system based on machine learning will continue to improve automatically.
In the initial testing phase, the system demonstrated more than 92% improved performance, with an 83% increase in Goods Declaration (GD) for tax collection, and a significantly higher number of declarations being cleared through the green channel.
The new system promises enhanced transparency, reduced human intervention, and greater convenience for businesses. The introduction of this AI-driven system will expedite the determination and cost estimation of goods, saving valuable time.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that FBR reforms are a top priority for the government. By automating the tax system, he said, the system would become more transparent and efficient. He also noted that the new technology would ease business operations and provide better facilitation for taxpayers.
The Prime Minister further praised the officials and staff working on the new system, encouraging them to ensure its sustainability and integration.