FBR Sets Up Media Coordination Unit for Taxpayer Outreach and Public Communication
The Federal Board of Revenue has established a new Media Coordination Unit (MCU) to strengthen its communication with taxpayers, businesses and the media.
The unit was formally constituted through Notification No. 2134-IR-I/2026 issued on October 8, 2026 and has taken effect immediately.
Rather than focusing only on conventional media relations, the new body has been assigned a broader role covering public awareness, taxpayer education and communication surrounding tax reforms and facilitation measures.
What Will the New FBR Media Unit Do?
According to the notification, the Media Coordination Unit will oversee implementation of FBR’s Communication Strategy and Action Plan.
Its responsibilities include improving communication about:
- tax policies;
- FBR reforms;
- taxpayer facilitation;
- public-service initiatives; and
- awareness and educational activities.
The unit will also work on strengthening communication between FBR and media organisations.
Who Will Run the Unit?
The Director General (TPS) will serve as coordinator, while the Secretary (Media) will act as secretary.
Several officials from FBR and Customs communications, tax education, reforms, enforcement and strategic transformation will also serve as members.
This gives the unit representation from multiple parts of Pakistan’s tax administration rather than limiting it to a single media office.
FBR to Track Public Narratives and Media Risks
One of the more notable parts of the unit’s mandate is the creation and maintenance of an:
achievement bank, negative narrative bank and media risk register.
Different FBR wings will provide weekly inputs to the unit.
These records are intended to help officials identify communication gaps, respond to public concerns and highlight reforms and services being introduced for taxpayers.
Why Has FBR Created the Unit?
FBR says the broader objective is to present itself as a public-service-oriented institution while improving awareness among taxpayers and businesses.
The authority is simultaneously undergoing wider reforms involving digitalisation, tax-base expansion and changes to taxpayer services.
Clearer communication can therefore become increasingly important as new tax rules and digital systems are introduced.
Trending Pakistan recently reported on FBR’s Rs57 billion revenue-administration digitalisation project and the extension of the Tax Year 2026 income-tax return deadline.
Will This Affect Taxpayers Directly?
The formation of the unit does not introduce a new tax, filing requirement or registration procedure.
Its direct purpose is communication.
However, taxpayers could see more frequent official information about deadlines, policy changes, digital services, facilitation measures and tax reforms.
The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether official information reaches taxpayers quickly and clearly.
FBR’s new Media Coordination Unit adds a dedicated structure for managing taxpayer communication and public outreach at a time when Pakistan’s tax administration is undergoing significant reforms.
The unit will collect regular input from different FBR wings, monitor communication risks and work to improve dissemination of information about tax policies and taxpayer services.
