The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a modern electronic cargo monitoring system aimed at improving transparency in trade and preventing tax evasion.
The National Cargo Tracking System was launched at a ceremony held at the FBR headquarters in Islamabad, attended by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Member Customs Operations Shakeel Shah, Member Customs Policy and other senior officials. The initiative has been introduced with the support of the World Bank.
Under the new system, a mechanism has been developed to enable electronic monitoring and booking of cargo, ensuring better tracking of goods during transportation.
Speaking at the event, Shakeel Shah said the system would help reduce issues such as fake invoices and under-invoicing, while also strengthening efforts to curb duty and tax evasion.
Officials said the project is expected to generate logistics sector savings of more than Rs2.8 billion.
The implementation of the National Cargo Tracking System will bring greater transparency in the assessment and collection of duties and taxes, while enabling electronic inspection of goods and promoting economic activity.
The member customs operations noted that similar systems have been successfully implemented in several countries and described the initiative as a key step in FBR’s broader transformation plan.
FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial praised the performance of the Customs Department, particularly the delivery unit, and said a leading firm had been selected for the project’s design. He added that the implementation design will be completed within five months.
Under the new framework, monitoring will be conducted across three different areas, including anti-smuggling measures, production monitoring and digital invoicing to check sales tax evasion.
Officials said the system is already being utilised to curb smuggling in the petroleum sector and to further strengthen enforcement against sales tax fraud.