The Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) has formally called on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to introduce a mobile application for biometric verification of taxpayers, seeking to remove obstacles faced by individuals who currently must complete the process in person at National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) centers. In a letter addressed to FBR chairman, LTBA President Muhammad Asif Rana highlighted the difficulties created by the existing system, which was mandated under SRO 350(I)/2024. The regulation, issued on March 7, 2025, makes biometric verification mandatory not only at the time of sales tax registration but also on an annual basis thereafter, creating a recurring burden for taxpayers.
According to LTBA, while physical biometric checks may suit many individuals, the policy has been disproportionately challenging for overseas Pakistanis, people living in rural or underdeveloped regions, and elderly or physically challenged taxpayers. The absence of a digital alternative often results in delays in sales tax registration, which subsequently prevents timely filing of returns and disrupts business continuity. The association stressed that these restrictions discourage participation in the formal tax system and undermine broader efforts to widen the country’s tax base. For overseas Pakistanis in particular, the requirement to physically appear at NADRA centers has meant long delays in activation of their registrations, while for citizens with mobility issues the process remains unnecessarily burdensome.
To address these challenges, LTBA has recommended that FBR collaborate with NADRA to design a secure mobile application that would enable taxpayers to complete biometric verification remotely. Such an app could leverage features already built into modern smartphones, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, while ensuring secure data integration with both FBR and NADRA databases. The association pointed out that this proposal is consistent with practices already adopted by several banks and government agencies in Pakistan, which use mobile-based biometric systems for customer onboarding and authentication. LTBA argued that the introduction of a mobile platform would not only improve taxpayer convenience but also enhance compliance by reducing delays in registration.
The association also outlined the potential benefits of its proposal, including better facilitation for overseas taxpayers and individuals in remote areas, faster registration processes with fewer administrative bottlenecks, and broader expansion of the tax base through removal of barriers to entry. Moreover, the suggestion aligns closely with FBR’s digital transformation agenda, which has focused in recent years on automation and technology-driven solutions to improve efficiency in revenue collection. By modernizing the verification process, FBR could demonstrate its commitment to taxpayer facilitation while encouraging voluntary compliance. LTBA expressed confidence that the deployment of a mobile biometric verification solution would strengthen the tax administration framework, making it more accessible, efficient, and inclusive for all segments of society.
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