Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to implement an extensive nationwide rollout of Point of Sale (POS) systems across the retail sector. This move follows a record Rs 865 billion tax revenue increase, roughly $3 billion, achieved through stronger digitization, enforcement, and taxpayer compliance.

The POS expansion aims to bring informal retail businesses into the formal tax system, reducing underreporting and plugging revenue leakages. Each outlet’s POS will be directly linked to FBR’s central database, enabling real-time sales tracking and automatic calculation of sales tax.

The PM emphasized that every industry’s production and sales processes, including those of previous tax defaulters, should be fully digitized to broaden the tax base. He also urged the FBR to treat taxpayers with dignity and respect, warning against complacency and instructing officials to prioritize public service alongside enforcement.

Complementing the POS initiative, the government will expand its Track and Trace Digital Production System, currently in use for sugar, tobacco, and fertilizer, to other sectors like cement. This integrated digital framework seeks to enhance transparency, deter evasion, and sustain revenue growth over the long term.

This decisive step underscores Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to tax reforms, fiscal discipline, and modernized financial systems, pivotal for reinforcing economic stability and funding essential services.