Cargo Tracking System: Pakistan’s Digital Offensive Against Smuggling and Tax Evasion

Pakistan is undertaking one of the most significant trade-monitoring reforms in its history with the introduction of a nationwide cargo tracking system (CTS). The initiative is designed to replace the country’s paper-based transport documentation with a fully digital platform capable of monitoring the movement of goods from origin to destination in near real time.

At the centre of the reform is the replacement of the traditional bilty, the handwritten consignment note that has for decades accompanied goods moving across Pakistan. Although simple and familiar, the bilty offers little transparency and has long provided opportunities for smuggling, under-invoicing and tax evasion.

Under the new e-Bilty system, consignors will upload shipment details – including the nature, quantity and value of the goods, tax identities of the consignor and consignee, vehicle registration details and destination – to a central online portal before transport begins. The system will then generate a unique QR code linked to the consignment, creating a digital audit trail that can be verified throughout the journey.