Punjab Revenue Authority Cracks Down on Tax Evasion Despite High Monthly Sales

By Dr. Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE — The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has launched extensive enforcement operations across the province to curb tax evasion by businesses reporting monthly sales running into millions of rupees, officials said on Thursday.
According to a PRA statement, enforcement teams remained active late into the night, scrutinizing sales records of a wide range of business establishments. As a result of the operations, several defaulting food chains and other commercial outlets involved in the manipulation or concealment of sales records were sealed.
The authority said sales records of nine restaurants and food outlets were taken into custody for detailed examination. Legal cases will be registered against businesses found guilty of concealing sales data or obstructing enforcement teams during inspections.
Action was also initiated against entities that failed to deposit due taxes into the government treasury despite the issuance of multiple notices, the statement added.
Officials stressed that taxes collected from the public are a public trust and must be deposited accurately, transparently, and on time. The PRA reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance through continued monitoring and strict enforcement.
The authority also urged consumers to always demand and obtain an electronic bill (e-bill) after making purchases, noting that public cooperation plays a crucial role in preventing tax evasion and strengthening revenue transparency.