The Senate Standing Committee on Finance on Monday discussed new regulatory proposals aimed at formalizing Pakistan’s growing e-commerce sector, with a focus on mandatory registration for online sellers generating substantial revenue.
Senator Anusha Rehman recommended that online platforms earning Rs. 20 million or more annually should be required to register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). She stressed that while small home-based sellers and freelancers rely on e-commerce for their livelihoods and should not face heavy tax burdens, platforms crossing a certain business threshold must comply with registration requirements.
“This approach will help broaden the tax net without adversely affecting freelancers and small sellers,” the senator said.
Committee members concurred that the registration mandate should be based on business volume, ensuring that small sellers and startups are exempt from undue compliance pressures.
The proposal is set to be refined further and may be incorporated into upcoming amendments to the Finance Bill 2025. The committee is also exploring ways to simplify tax compliance for small digital entrepreneurs.
