Islamabad: The FBR has issued a notification of important amendments to the Sales Tax Rules 2006, under which it will be mandatory to install production monitoring, video surveillance or digital eye system.
Registered businesses not connected to the FBR system will be subject to action. According to the FBR, police assistance will be sought if necessary to seal the business.

The notification also clarifies the procedure for sealing a business premises, according to which the Commissioner will be able to initiate action on the basis of the Land Revenue report. The Assistant Commissioner or above will give a written report to the Commissioner, after which the Commissioner will make an inquiry and send a report to the Chief Commissioner and the Chief Commissioner will issue a written order to seal the business or not.

According to the notification, the business premises can be sealed completely or only a specific part, while a copy of the order will be given to the businessman before sealing. The business premises will remain sealed until the system is connected to the FBR.

According to the FBR, to reopen a sealed business, a monitoring system will have to be installed along with paying a fine. The FBR technical team will be present at the time of installation of the system, while the commissioner will issue a certificate within 3 days after the system is installed.

According to the notification, the electronic monitoring rules can also be applied to more businesses and manufacturers.