Cameras to monitor Marriage Halls, Restaurants as Punjab expands Tax Crackdown

LAHORE – Punjab government announced major technology-driven initiative to curb tax evasion by approving the installation of monitoring cameras at marriage halls, marquees, farmhouses and major food chains across the region. The decision was taken during a revenue collection meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, as part of broader efforts to strengthen tax compliance, improve transparency and enhance documentation of commercial activity. Under new measures, authorities will closely monitor businesses suspected of underreporting sales or concealing transactions to avoid paying taxes. The provincial government has also approved stricter action against establishments found issuing fake receipts or hiding revenue. In addition, officials are considering making digital payment systems mandatory at large restaurants and food chains to reduce reliance on cash transactions and create a more transparent financial record. Addressing the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz stressed need to modernize tax administration and expand use of digital payment mechanisms. She questioned why Pakistan could not move toward wider adoption of cashless transactions when many countries have already embraced digital payment systems. Reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy against tax evasion, she directed relevant departments to utilize modern technology to improve monitoring and enforcement capabilities. CM also instructed Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) to strengthen its institutional capacity through advanced technological tools, workforce expansion and regular performance monitoring. Officials informed the meeting that the provincial government has set a revenue collection target of Rs528.5 billion for the fiscal year 2026–27, while revenue collection has already risen by 38 percent to Rs346 billion. They further noted that the PRA’s operational network has expanded from 10 districts to 26 districts, alongside the establishment of dedicated intelligence, taxpayer audit and legal win