ISLAMABAD: An artificial intelligence-based production monitoring system has been rolled out across Pakistan’s cement industry, with the technology now operational at all 27 cement factories in the country.
Known as Digital Eye, the system uses AI-powered video analytics to monitor cement production lines in real time. it provides an independent record of production that can be compared with information reported through the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) existing track and trace system.
The technology was first piloted in 2023 and has since been tested, refined, and deployed nationwide with technical support from the United Kingdom.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott visited Fect Cement along with senior FBR officials to see the system in operation. During the visit, officials briefed the delegation on how the technology is being used to strengthen tax administration and improve production monitoring.
According to officials, digital eye reduces reliance on manual inspections and paperwork by providing continuous visibility of production activity. The system works alongside track and trace, which records products leaving production lines, allowing the two sets of data to be compared.
FBR Chief Reform & Modernisation Dr Najeebullah said real-time production monitoring had already strengthened compliance in the cement and sugar sectors. He added that the FBR is working to improve the system’s accuracy and develop the skills required to operate and maintain the technology.
The system was developed by a Pakistan technology company and scaled nationwide with UK technical assistance. Officials said the project demonstrates how locally developed technology can be expanded through international cooperation to support large-scale reforms.
The initiative has also attracted interest from countries in Africa, where officials are examining Pakistan’s experience with technology-based tax compliance and production monitoring.
The wider deployment of digital systems marks an increasing use of AI and digital monitoring technologies in Pakistan’s industrial sector, particularly in improving production transparency and strengthening tax compliance.
