The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced a new policy to expand online monitoring of business activities across Pakistan by making the installation of Point of Sale (POS) systems mandatory in more than 14 sectors.
According to an official notification, hotels, restaurants, guest houses, marriage halls, marquees and race clubs are required to connect their operations to the FBR’s POS system. However, businesses that do not have air-conditioning facilities will be exempt from this requirement.
The new rules also apply to several healthcare services. Dentists, physiotherapists, plastic and hair transplant surgeons, veterinary doctors, medical laboratories, and diagnostic centres offering X-ray, CT, and MRI scans must now integrate with the POS system.
Beauty parlours, massage and pedicure centres, and private hospitals have also been included in the directive. However, hospitals charging consultation fees of less than Rs500 will not be required to install the system.
In addition, health clubs, gyms, swimming pools, multipurpose clubs, polo clubs (both civil and non-civil), as well as chartered accountants and cost and management accountants, must comply with the new order.
The FBR has specifically directed gymkhanas and clubs in major cities such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad to ensure POS integration. Retailers, manufacturers and importers are also required to complete full online integration with the tax authority’s system.
Furthermore, foreign exchange dealers, currency exchange companies, private educational institutions, and vocational training centres have been brought under the POS regime. Educational institutions charging monthly fees of up to Rs1,000 will be exempt from the requirement.
The move is aimed at increasing transparency, improving tax documentation, and strengthening the country’s revenue collection system through digital monitoring.
