By Abdul Ghani
In a move that signals tighter control, the Federal Board of Revenue has set up two new checkposts to monitor tax-exempt areas and keep a closer watch on goods moving under the Sales Tax Act of 1990.
This step highlights how FBR new checkposts will shape future monitoring efforts.
To build on this, the FBR said the decision was made under powers given in Rule 69F of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, according to an official notification.
New Checkposts Along Key Movement Corridors
In another important detail, the notification SRO 2185(1)/2025 confirms the creation of the Kohala Bridge checkpost and the Nakoder checkpost.
These sites have been selected along busy trade routes to track goods entering and leaving tax-exempt regions. The Kohala Bridge checkpost will monitor traffic traveling from Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir toward Murree and Abbottabad.
Route Monitoring for Goods Movement
Moving ahead, the Nakoder checkpost in Nakoder (Dina) will keep an eye on the route linking Mirpur (AJK) with Jhelum Road.
Efforts to Prevent Tax Evasion
Adding more context, the government says these new posts are part of a broader plan to improve tax collection and cut down on tax evasion. By placing checkposts on these routes, the FBR aims to stop exempt goods from being sneaked into taxable areas.
Both the Kohala Bridge and Nakoder posts are expected to block any attempt to misuse tax exemptions and ensure only eligible goods receive relief.
Strengthening Compliance and Ensuring Transparency
In a key comment, Dr. Najeeb Ahmad, a spokesperson for the FBR, told this reporter that the new checkposts mark a significant step in enforcing tax compliance along major routes, especially those connected to tax-exempt zones.
He said the main goal is to create a system where exemptions are given only to goods that qualify, and where monitoring is strong enough to stop tax evasion.
Adding further explanation, the spokesperson said these checkposts will not only help apply exemptions properly but also support smoother goods movement, prevent abuse of the system, and protect the national tax base.
He said the FBR expects the posts to help raise tax revenue and support long-term economic stability.
Looking beyond the immediate changes, the FBR’s decision also responds to public pressure for better governance and more transparency in the tax system.
Officials hope the move will increase revenue, reduce illegal trade of exempt goods, and create a level playing field for businesses that follow the law.
The establishment of these checkposts marks a forward step in ongoing fiscal reforms and shows the government’s commitment to building a more reliable and accountable tax system.
Author Profile
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Abdul Ghani is a sharp analyst focused on Pakistan's industrial transformation. His reporting reveals the textile sector's pivot from basic cotton to high-growth value-added apparel.
Ghani's work underscores the triumph of knitwear and garments in boosting exports, while warning policymakers to tackle energy costs to secure long-term global competitiveness.
