Punjab Orders Cameras in Halls and Food Chains to Curb Tax Evasion

The Punjab government has decided to place surveillance cameras in marquees, marriage halls, farmhouses and major food chains as part of a wider campaign to tighten tax monitoring and bring large cash-based businesses into a more documented system. The decision was reported from Lahore after a revenue-focused meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday.

The move is aimed at businesses where large transactions often take place and where authorities believe sales can be underreported through fake receipts, incomplete records or cash-only dealing. Officials said the new monitoring mechanism would help the provincial government verify commercial activity more effectively and identify cases where sales are being hidden from tax authorities.

During the meeting, the provincial administration also reviewed a proposal to make digital payments mandatory at large restaurants. The plan is linked to Punjab’s broader revenue target of Rs528.5 billion for the financial year 2026–27, which will require stronger enforcement, better reporting and closer tracking of high-turnover sectors.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz told officials that Pakistan should not remain behind when other economies are rapidly moving from cash to digital transactions. She directed departments to follow a zero-tolerance approach toward tax evasion and said both camera-based monitoring and digital systems should be used to detect irregularities in sales and receipts.

Officials were also instructed to submit weekly tax collection reports and carry out sector-wise mapping so that revenue performance can be reviewed more precisely. The Punjab Revenue Authority has been asked to improve enforcement capacity, increase human resources and use modern technology to strengthen compliance across targeted business categories.

The decision reflects a growing policy shift toward digital documentation in Pakistan’s provincial economies. Marriage halls, event venues, farmhouses and major food outlets represent sectors where consumer spending is significant, but where tax collection can remain difficult if records are maintained manually or payments are routed outside documented channels.

Punjab has previously relied on inspections, notices and audits to detect underreporting, but the new model suggests a more technology-driven enforcement structure. Surveillance cameras, digital receipts and electronic payment records could allow authorities to compare business claims with actual customer flow and transaction patterns.

The policy is likely to generate debate among business owners, privacy advocates and tax professionals. Supporters may argue that the step will reduce evasion and create a fairer environment for compliant taxpayers, while critics could question how footage will be stored, who will access it and whether smaller businesses may later face similar monitoring requirements.

For Pakistan’s largest province, the economic stakes are substantial. Better tax collection can support public services, infrastructure and welfare programmes, but enforcement must be applied transparently to avoid harassment or selective pressure. Clear rules on data protection, inspection powers and appeal procedures will be essential for public trust.

The next phase will depend on how quickly the Punjab government converts the decision into formal rules and implementation timelines. Businesses in the targeted sectors are expected to watch for detailed instructions on camera installation, digital payment requirements, reporting formats and penalties for non-compliance.