The federal government has initiated a search for the new chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as the incumbent head Javed Ghani is set to retire on April 10.

The development came after the finance ministry sent a summary to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking an extension in the tenure of Javed Ghani.

"The prime minister is yet to approve the summary for extension in FBR chairman's tenure," they said adding that soon after this the finance ministry has started mulling over three more names for the new chairman.

The sources said that among the three choices being mulled over, Member Land Revenue Operation Dr Ashfaq is considered as the top contender for the slot.