FBR seeks PKR 10 billion to set up digital enforcement stations to curb smuggling

Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to establish Digital Enforcement Stations across the country to combat smuggling and illegal trade, and has sought PKR 10 billion ($36 million) in funding for the initiative, officials familiar with the matter said Tuesday.

According to FBR sources, the proposed digital enforcement stations will be fully empowered to take action against smuggling and unlawful commercial activities, including the arrest of individuals involved in illegal trade.

The move is aimed at strengthening both border and inland enforcement through technology-driven monitoring systems.

Under the plan, existing check posts will be converted into digital enforcement stations, replacing traditional manual checks with modern surveillance, data integration and tracking tools.

Officials said the stations will operate under clearly defined rules, standard operating procedures and technology frameworks to ensure more effective enforcement.

Sources said advanced technology will be used to monitor the movement of goods, identify suspicious consignments and detect undocumented trade, which continues to cause significant losses to the national exchequer.

To fill staffing gaps, the FBR plans to recruit retired officers and personnel from the armed forces on a contract basis for vacant positions at the new enforcement stations, according to official documents.

The hiring is intended to bolster operational capacity while ensuring discipline and experience in enforcement roles.

Officials said the digital enforcement stations would have complete authority to act against smuggling networks and illegal traders, a step the FBR believes will significantly improve efforts to curb illicit trade and strengthen revenue collection.

The proposal is part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing enforcement mechanisms and reducing reliance on conventional check posts, which authorities say have proven insufficient to tackle increasingly sophisticated smuggling operations.