PRA Tightens Noose on Tax Fraud, Takes Action Against Major Restaurants
By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) conducted late-night enforcement operations against several major food chains and restaurants across Lahore. According to a PRA spokesperson, a number of well-known restaurants and food chains in the provincial capital were found involved in fraudulent tax practices. As a result of the enforcement actions,…
By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) conducted late-night enforcement operations against several major food chains and restaurants across Lahore.
According to a PRA spokesperson, a number of well-known restaurants and food chains in the provincial capital were found involved in fraudulent tax practices.
As a result of the enforcement actions, PRA sealed all branches of seven renowned fast-food chains and restaurants for violations related to tax compliance.
The operations were launched over the non-utilization of the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (e-IMS) and manipulation of tax returns. Establishments found tampering with tax declarations and digital records were also imposed with heavy penalties.
Chairman PRA, Moazzam Iqbal Sipra, said that taxes collected from the public are a government trust and that any embezzlement, manipulation, or delay in depositing such taxes would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He further urged citizens to always obtain a PRA e-Bill after making payments at restaurants and other businesses.
The Chairman also appealed to the public to report cases where businesses fail to issue e-Bills or are involved in fraudulent practices through the PRA Facilitation Application, enabling the Authority to take prompt legal action against violators.
