Production data: Parallel monitoring systems resulting in duplication

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue’s production monitoring system is being implemented alongside the already operational Track and Trace System in multiple sectors, resulting in duplication and overlap.

The FBR has recently moved forward with the authorization and deployment of production monitoring solutions in the beverage sub-sectors, including bottled water and packaged juices, as part of its broader efforts to enhance visibility into industrial production and supply chain operations.

The initiative is based on the introduction of technology-driven systems aimed at tracking production output, monitoring operational efficiency, and generating real-time analytics from manufacturing facilities. The proposed systems are designed to capture production data at source, provide dashboards for monitoring, and enable regulatory oversight of industrial activity in near real time.

However, the development has also triggered a wider policy discussion within relevant circles regarding the strategic direction of Pakistan’s enforcement and monitoring infrastructure. Over the past several years, the country’s Track and Trace System has been implemented across multiple sectors and has consistently been acknowledged for delivering measurable improvements in supply chain transparency, revenue protection, and enforcement against counterfeit and illicit trade.

According to sources, the solution being opted for by FBR diverges from the broader enforcement-led direction outlined at the national level and is primarily centered on output visibility and operational monitoring.

Experts say that the proposed solution appears not to be fully aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening enforcement through technology-driven systems to enhance revenue collection and curb tax evasion. Given its inherent limitations, it may not fully achieve the intended objectives in line with the Prime Minister’s Vision. This reinforces the call for a policy reassessment within FBR. Given that the excise department and other enforcement agencies have been engaged to support the framework, the effectiveness of such institutional coordination may be best realized through systems that offer comprehensive traceability and enforcement capabilities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026