Registered textile spinning units must install cameras on fibre-processing machinery by November 15, 2026, under a new sales tax order aimed at strengthening electronic production monitoring.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced video surveillance and analytics requirements for textile spinning units to monitor the processing of natural, artificial and blended fibres, including cotton, polyester, viscose, wool and acrylic.
Under Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 30 of 2026, issued by the Inland Revenue Operations wing, all registered persons engaged in textile spinning must install video surveillance cameras at specified production points by November 15, 2026.
The order has been issued under Section 40C(2) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Rules 150ZQR and 150ZQT of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006. It supplements STGO No. 08 of 2025, which introduced electronic monitoring of cotton bales.
The latest directive extends surveillance to fibres processed in loose, opened or other non-bale forms. Cameras must be installed at hopper bale openers and feeders, weighing and blending feeders, blow-room lines dedicated to artificial fibres, waste-opening and recycling lines, and mixing or laydown areas where loose fibres are prepared for processing.
The FBR has directed vendors authorised under the relevant sales tax rules to integrate their video analytics systems with the newly installed cameras. These systems must be capable of detecting, counting and quantifying fibres entering the production process.
Real-time monitoring and data transmission
The prescribed technology must capture production processes in real time, collect production data through object detection and counting, and transmit information to the FBR’s Central Control Unit. It must also support data storage and archiving, detect unexpected production stoppages, conduct quantitative production analysis and generate data analytics for potential legal action.
The requirements are intended to improve the FBR’s visibility over textile production and strengthen electronic monitoring of manufacturing activity.
Textile spinning units must make the necessary arrangements for cameras, hardware and software to comply with the deadline. Approved vendors are responsible for ensuring that their systems meet the technical requirements specified in the order.
The FBR has clarified that STGO No. 08 of 2025 will remain in force, with the new order operating alongside the existing requirements.
Issued with the approval of the competent authority, the directive takes effect immediately and applies to all registered persons engaged in textile spinning covered by its provisions.