FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial has assured traders of relief on the POS system and vowed strict action against harassment, raids and unfair penalties.
Traders raise alarm over POS enforcement
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial has assured traders that those unable to afford the Point of Sale (POS) system will be given relief and that no trader will be harassed in the name of documentation.
His assurance came during a meeting with a delegation of traders led by Central Organisation of Traders Pakistan President Kashif Chaudhry. Inland Revenue member Zubair Bilal and other senior officials of the FBR were also present at the meeting.
The traders used the opportunity to convey growing frustration over how the POS system is being enforced and the way tax officials are interacting with shopkeepers, especially small and medium businesses in local markets.
Small businesses struggle with POS costs and requirements
Kashif Chaudhry informed the FBR chairman that while the POS system was first rolled out at local and international brands and chain stores, its impact has also reached smaller traders operating within these networks and in ordinary markets.
He pointed out that big brands generally have computerised systems, backup power, trained staff and administrative capacity to adopt POS technology. In contrast, many small shopkeepers lack the capital, technical skills and infrastructure needed to run such systems smoothly.
According to the traders’ delegation, the installation and maintenance of POS machines, along with software costs, connectivity requirements and compliance checks, have significantly increased the operational expenses of smaller businesses. For many, these costs are difficult to bear in a slow economic environment.
Complaints of raids, penalties and humiliation
Chaudhry further alleged that the enforcement drive has led to excessive interference, penalties and shop sealings. He said that in the name of documentation and POS enforcement, traders are being pushed into an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
According to him, the FBR has extended operations beyond brands and chain stores to ordinary shops, using large convoys of vehicles and surprise raids on markets. He compared these actions to operations against enemy forces or terrorists, describing the approach as humiliating and mentally distressing for traders.
He also claimed that notices are sometimes issued on personal discretion. In some cases, traders are allegedly spared after informal settlements, while others face harassment, fines and shop closures for refusing to comply with demands they consider unfair or unaffordable.
FBR chairman vows zero tolerance for blackmail and corruption
Responding to the concerns, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial assured the delegation that the complaints of harassment would be taken seriously and that traders’ issues would be resolved on priority.
He said no trader would be harassed under the POS regime and promised strict action against any officials found blackmailing or mistreating shopkeepers. He went on to add that FBR staff would be suspended if allegations of bribery or corruption were proven after inquiry.
The chairman also clarified that shopkeepers who genuinely cannot afford to install the POS system will not be forced to do so. Instead, the FBR would look for practical solutions that balance documentation needs with on-ground business realities.
Future policy to be based on consultation and trust
Langrial emphasised that future steps on POS and documentation would be taken in consultation with trader organisations. He stressed the need to build mutual trust between the tax authority and the business community so that compliance improves without creating a climate of fear.
For traders, the assurances signal a possible shift away from aggressive raids toward a more structured and dialogue-based approach. However, they will be looking for concrete changes on the ground, including fewer surprise raids, transparent procedures and clear guidelines on who must adopt POS and on what timeline.
If the FBR successfully combines fair enforcement with relief for genuinely small businesses, it could strengthen documentation efforts while keeping markets stable. For now, traders await follow-up actions to see whether the commitments made in the meeting translate into real relief in shops and bazaars across the country.
