Punjab CM orders shifting to digital economy to nab tax evaders

In order to tighten the screws around tax evaders, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday ordered the transfer from cash economy to digital economy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chairing an important meeting on the revenue collected from the province, the chief minister questioned that if the world could shift from cash to digital, why can’t Pakistan?

“There will be no tolerance towards tax evasion,” she said categorically.

It was decided at the meeting that cameras would be installed for the monitoring of marriage halls, food chains, marquees, farm houses in order to take action against those presenting fake receipts and concealing their sales.

The meeting pondered over the proposal to make digital payments mandatory at large restaurants rather than cash payments.

CM Maryam also ordered that a report be submitted to her every week on tax collection and sectoral mapping.

The revenue target for the next financial year (FY), 2026-27 was set at Rs528.5 billion.

The meeting was briefed that revenue collection in the province had gone up by 38 per cent; from Rs250 billion to Rs346 billion.

It was told that the Punjab Revenue Authority’s (PRA) jurisdiction had been expanded from 10 to 26 districts.

It was also informed that intelligence and investigation wing and legal wing had already been established in the PRA.

Expressing satisfaction over the Authority’s performance, CM Maryam applauded its officials.

She directed that the PRA be equipped with modern technology.

She also directed that the PRA’s media wing be made more active so that it could spread awareness among masses about the benefits of paying taxes.