Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the authorities concerned to make the track and trace system fully functional in all sectors, including tobacco, cement, sugar, and fertilizer industries, to prevent tax evasion.
Chairing a meeting regarding the track and trace system in Islamabad today, he decided to take measures against tax defaulters and tax evaders on an emergency basis, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The prime minister instructed to establish an inquiry committee to identify the obstacles in the way of the track and trace system and determine the responsible for that.
The committee, in seven days, will identify the obstacles in the way of the complete activation of the track and trace system and the people involved in tax evasion.
Shehbaz Sharif said the committee will also submit suggestions on the future strategy for the application of automatic tax system in factories.
PM Shehbaz further said that all legal hurdles in the way of track and trace system should be removed.
The premier sought a comprehensive plan of action for the enforcement of automatic track and trace system and digital strategy.
He said all such factories which refuse to install track and trace system should be sealed immediately.
In addition to revenue collection, PM Shehbaz advised to use the track and trace system to prevent counterfeiting and substandard products.
He directed that the sale of fake and unregistered cigarettes should be stopped and these should be seized and destroyed.
PM Shehbaz said that the country is suffering from economic problems and the mafia is colluding to damage the national exchequer.
He advised to hire services of internationally renowned organizations for the track and trace system.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the current status of the automated tax system and obstacles in the way of making this system fully functional in sugar, cement, fertilizer and tobacco industry.
It was told that the track and trace system is fully functional in 14 big tobacco factories, while 12 units have been sealed for not installing the system.
The system was fully functional in fertilizer industry while it was facing problems in sugar and cement factories due to some technical issues which were being addressed.
The meeting was further apprised that raids were being conducted on godowns throughout the country to control the smuggling.
The prime minister directed that the law enforcement agencies should assist FBR.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers including Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jehanzaib Khan, Chairman Federal Boar of Rvenue (FBR) Malik Amjad Zubair Tiwana and other senior officials.