PM Shehbaz directs FBR to complete digital production monitoring system across major industries by year end

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the Federal Board of Revenue to finish installing its digital production monitoring setup in major industries by December 31, according to Dawn. The instruction came during a Monday meeting in Islamabad, where the premier also reviewed FBR reforms aimed at shrinking the difference between realised and possible tax receipts.

According to officials briefing the meeting, the systems are already fully fitted across five industries, among them sugar, cement and tobacco. Textile, bottled water, packaged juice and dairy units are still being fitted, with the equipment already bought. Equipment purchases for steel, poultry and tyre makers are to be completed by October 15, while several other sectors, such as tea and leather, must complete their purchases by October 30.

Officials said the system is expected to be fully working in all these sectors by December 31. The meeting heard that some textile firms initially resisted the installation, but Nishat Mills, Interloop Limited, Faisal Spinning Mills and Nishat Chunian were named among companies that installed it voluntarily, and the premier commended them for their cooperation. Officials also told the meeting that government measures over three years brought in an extra Rs1.3 trillion, a 40 per cent rise in revenue.