NEWS DESK
ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Public Opinion and Research (IPOR) in collaboration with PILDAT hosted a crucial roundtable discussion in Islamabad on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Track and Trace System (TTS) compliance issues. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, policy experts, and media representatives to assess findings from IPOR’s recent study on TTS compliance.
Mr. Mamoon Bilal, Advisor at PILDAT, opened the session with welcoming remarks. Mr. Tariq Junaid, CEO of IPOR, presented the key findings, revealing significant non-compliance levels within the industry. The Track and Trace System was introduced in 2021 across the tobacco, cement, fertilizer, and sugar sectors, making it illegal to sell unstamped cigarette packs since July 2022. Yet, adherence remains low.
The IPOR study, conducted in 11 cities across Punjab and Sindh, evaluated 720 retail outlets, focusing on TTS compliance and Minimum Legal Price (MLP) cigarette adherence. Findings showed only 19 of the 264 cigarette brands surveyed met all TTS requirements. Non-compliant brands comprised 58% of the market, split between locally produced duty-not-paid (DNP) brands (65%) and smuggled brands (35%), with violations ranging from absent TTS stamps to underpricing and missing health warnings.
The roundtable included insights from Mr. Muhammad Zaheer Qureshi, Project Director of the TTS at FBR, who highlighted compliance enforcement challenges, emphasizing robust tracking to reduce tax evasion. Hafiz Tahir Khalil, a senior journalist, commended FBR’s TTS efforts and underscored the media’s role in promoting compliance.
Chaired by Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, MNA & Minister of State for Finance & Revenue, the event stressed the government’s commitment to TTS goals and the need for advanced digital tools to enhance regulatory efficiency.
Key Recommendations for Improved Compliance:
- Strengthening enforcement at the retail level to restrict access to non-compliant products.
- Raising penalties for TTS violations.
- Launching public awareness campaigns on the importance of buying compliant products.
The session’s conclusions represent a vital step toward reinforcing FBR’s tax objectives, supporting public health initiatives, and enhancing TTS compliance across Pakistan’s industry sectors.