Punjab to install surveillance system at marriage halls, food chains to tackle tax evasion: CM Maryam

• High-level meeting on provincial revenue chaired by Punjab CM decides monitor all transactions at marquees, farmhouses and major outlets

• CM orders strict action against fake receipts and concealed sales practices, directing shift towards digital payments

 LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to install surveillance cameras at marriage halls, marquees, farmhouses, and major food chains to ensure monitoring of business transactions and curb tax evasion, while Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated a policy of zero tolerance towards tax evasion.

The decision was taken during a special meeting on provincial revenue chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday, where officials briefed participants on revenue collection and the performance of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA).

According to the briefing, all transactions conducted at large food chains, marriage halls, and farmhouses will be recorded and monitored. The meeting also decided to take strict action against businesses involved in issuing fake receipts or concealing sales.

وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت اجلاس میں پنجاب ریونیو سے متعلق اہم فیصلے کئے گئے۔ وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب کی ہدایت پر ٹیکس چوروں کے خلاف گھیرا تنگ کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا گیا۔ وزیرِ اعلیٰ نے کیش اکانومی سے ڈیجیٹل ادائیگیوں کے جانب منتقلی کا حکم جاری کر دیا۔ جعلی رسیدیں دینے… pic.twitter.com/DtBddgvH6h

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) June 23, 2026

The chief minister directed authorities to submit weekly reports on tax collection and sector-wise mapping, while also ordering a gradual shift from a cash-based economy towards digital payment systems to improve transparency and documentation of economic activity.

The meeting also reviewed the proposal to introduce digital payment facilities at major restaurants in place of cash transactions.

“If the world can move from cash to digital payments, why can’t Pakistan?” CM Maryam Nawaz remarked, reiterating a policy of zero tolerance towards tax evasion. “The camera’s eye will see it, and the digital system will detect it as well,” she added.

Officials informed the meeting that a revenue target of Rs528.5 billion had been set for the fiscal year 2026-27.

The briefing further revealed that Punjab’s revenue collection had increased by 38 percent, rising from Rs250 billion to Rs346 billion. The operational reach of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has also been expanded from 10 districts to 26 districts across the province.

Participants were informed that the PRA has established dedicated Intelligence and Investigation, Taxpayer Audit, and Legal Wings to strengthen enforcement and compliance mechanisms.

Expressing satisfaction over the authority’s performance, the chief minister appreciated PRA’s efforts and directed officials to further enhance enforcement capacity, increase human resources, and equip the organisation with modern technological tools.

She also instructed the PRA to strengthen its media and public awareness campaigns to encourage tax compliance, emphasizing that enforcement actions should be communicated to the public in a transparent and well-explained manner.

The meeting was attended by senior officials concerned with provincial revenue and taxation matters.