Punjab govt to install cameras at marriage halls, food chains to curb tax evasion

The Punjab government has decided to tighten monitoring of tax collection from marriage halls, marquees, farmhouses and large food chains by installing cameras and expanding digital tracking of transactions.

The decision was taken during a meeting on Punjab revenue chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, according to a statement shared by Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari.

According to Bokhari, the provincial government has decided that every transaction from marriage halls, food chains and farmhouses would be accounted for under the new monitoring measures.

The chief minister directed authorities to take strict action against businesses issuing fake receipts or concealing sales.

The meeting also discussed making digital payments mandatory in large restaurants instead of cash collection as part of efforts to reduce reliance on the cash economy.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed officials to move towards digital payments, saying the government would follow a zero-tolerance policy against tax evasion.

She also ordered weekly reports on tax collection and sector-wise mapping to improve revenue monitoring.

The Punjab government has set a revenue target of Rs528.5 billion for the financial year 2026-27.

Officials briefed the meeting that Punjab’s revenue collection had increased by 38%, rising from Rs250 billion to Rs346 billion.

The meeting was informed that the jurisdiction of the Punjab Revenue Authority had been expanded from 10 districts to 26 districts.

Officials also briefed the chief minister that an Intelligence and Investigation Wing, Tax Peer Audit and Legal Wing had already been established in the Punjab Revenue Authority.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the authority’s performance and directed that enforcement capacity and human resources should be increased.

She also directed that the Punjab Revenue Authority be equipped with modern technology to strengthen tax monitoring and compliance.

The chief minister further instructed that the media wing of the Punjab Revenue Authority be made more effective for creating public awareness on taxes.

She said that whenever the Punjab Revenue Authority takes action, the reasons for that action should be comprehensively communicated to the media.