Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday initiated the design phase of a National Cargo Tracking System (CTS) along with an integrated e-Bilty mechanism, marking a significant step toward digitizing cargo monitoring, improving tax compliance, and curbing smuggling across Pakistan.
The contract-signing ceremony at FBR headquarters launched the project, which is financed by the World Bank under the Pakistan Raises Revenue Program (PRRP) and led by the National Targeting Center (NTC). The initiative will replace traditional paper-based transport documents, known locally as “Bilty”, with a centralized electronic transport waybill (e-Bilty).
Currently, reliance on manual checks and paper documentation causes bottlenecks, prolongs transit times, and creates opportunities for tax evasion. The CTS platform will enable real-time tracking of commercial cargo from origin to destination. Each e-Bilty will carry a unique QR code, allowing Customs to efficiently differentiate compliant from non-compliant shipments.
Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial said the initiative is a cornerstone of the FBR’s digital transformation agenda. “By integrating CTS with WeBOC, STRIVE, and the Anti-Smuggling Portal, we are closing loopholes for fake invoices and mis-declaration, ensuring fair competition and securing national revenue,” he stated.
The project’s design phase is expected to be completed in a few months, with full implementation anticipated within three years. The program includes production monitoring, digital invoicing, and cargo tracking, providing end-to-end visibility over legitimate commercial activity and isolating smuggled goods.
Member Customs Operations Syed Shakeel Shah emphasized that the system will facilitate trade by reducing physical inspections, while empowering officers with risk-based digital monitoring, shifting from manual roadblocks to intelligent enforcement.
The consulting firm contracted for the project will analyze international best practices, ICT infrastructure needs, legal frameworks, and deliver a detailed system architecture and implementation roadmap, paving the way for nationwide deployment of a modern, technology-driven cargo monitoring system.