Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is considering adding two-factor authentication (2FA) to its Integrated Revenue Management System (IRIS), following input from industry stakeholders and in accordance with international security standards. The security upgrade comes amid broader efforts to strengthen digital security across Pakistan’s government systems, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority recently blocking over 5,000 fraudulent phone numbers as part of nationwide cybersecurity initiatives.
The initiative responds to recommendations from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which has advocated for 2FA implementation to enhance the IRIS tax system’s security infrastructure. The proposal emerges amid broader discussions about the FBR’s password security protocols and surveillance of potentially suspicious system activities. The development mirrors similar moves in other countries, such as India’s recent mandate for multi-factor authentication in its GST system.
Two-factor authentication represents an established security protocol widely adopted in financial and taxation systems globally. The mechanism requires users to authenticate their identity through two distinct methods, typically combining a knowledge factor (such as a password) with a possession factor (such as a mobile device that receives verification codes). The approach has proven particularly effective in preventing unauthorized access and protecting sensitive financial data.
Within the South Asian region, comparable security measures are already operational in systems like India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which implements 2FA for peer-to-peer financial transactions. The Indian implementation uses Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signaling technology as a component of its authentication framework. India has further demonstrated its commitment to digital security through initiatives like its recent $25 million Social Impact Fund for Digital Public Infrastructure.
The prospective integration of 2FA into Pakistan’s IRIS platform would represent a substantial upgrade to the FBR’s digital security architecture. The enhancement supports the organization’s continuing initiatives to modernize its tax collection infrastructure while meeting recognized international security standards. The move would place Pakistan’s tax system in line with global best practices for digital security, following the path of other nations that have successfully implemented multi-factor authentication in their government systems.
Sources: The Express Tribune, Wikipedia, India Business Journal
Follow Us