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Tag: FBR

  • Pakistan Intensifies Illegal Tobacco Crackdown

    Pakistan Intensifies Illegal Tobacco Crackdown

    Pakistan continues to step up enforcement actions against illicit cigarette manufacturing and non-duty-paid tobacco products, with advocacy group ACT Alliance Pakistan praising recent government efforts led by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The group said ongoing operations targeting smuggled brands, counterfeit tax stamps, and violations of the Track and Trace Systems are aimed at protecting tax revenue and formal businesses, estimating that the illegal cigarette trade costs the country more than Rs300 billion ($1.1 billion) annually.

    ACT Alliance Country Director Mubashir Akram said sustained enforcement is essential to prevent tax evasion networks from undermining the formal economy, adding that illicit trade is increasingly structured across manufacturing, distribution, and retail channels. He also warned that regulatory pressure must be consistent rather than episodic and called for stronger coordination among enforcement agencies, including Customs, Inland Revenue, and provincial authorities. The group further argued that tackling illicit tobacco is linked to broader investor confidence, stating that perceptions of enforcement effectiveness influence both domestic and foreign investment decisions.

  • Pakistani Tobacco Growers Want FBR Raids Stopped

    Pakistani Tobacco Growers Want FBR Raids Stopped

    Tobacco growers and traders in Pakistan called on the government to halt Federal Board of Revenue raids and reduce what they describe as unjust taxes during a convention held in Swabi yesterday (May 4). Participants alleged harassment during enforcement actions and demanded the withdrawal of law enforcement personnel from tobacco processing units, while also calling for interest-free loans and more supportive policies for farmers. Representatives from multiple political parties attended the gathering, where participants also discussed potential actions, including blocking a major motorway, to press their demands.

  • Pakistan Probes Theft of $900K of Cigarettes From FBR Warehouses

    Pakistan Probes Theft of $900K of Cigarettes From FBR Warehouses

    A Senate sub-committee in Pakistan called on relevant authorities to explain the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes worth Rs250 million ($900,000) from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) warehouses in Swabi and Mardan. Chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, the panel directed the FBR and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to identify those responsible and ensure recovery of the stolen goods. The committee criticized the absence of senior FIA officials during proceedings and noted prior incidents of cigarette theft, including one in April 2024, raising concerns that consignments are being specifically targeted.

    Officials reported that CCTV cameras were installed in all FBR godowns as of January 14, and a new SOP was introduced to strengthen monitoring. Ten officers have been suspended, while others with potential links to the business community were transferred. The panel also highlighted weak coordination between the FIA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, instructing authorities to implement stronger security measures and provide consolidated records of all godowns since 2012 to prevent future theft and smuggling activities.

  • Pakistan Empowers Provincial Officials to Seize Illicit Cigarettes

    Pakistan Empowers Provincial Officials to Seize Illicit Cigarettes

    Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) authorized provincial officials—including deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and excise officers—to raid and seize smuggled or tax-evading cigarettes at retail outlets, warehouses, and in transit. Under the order, provincial officers can now target counterfeit or untaxed cigarettes and their transport vehicles. All seized goods will be handed over to the nearest Regional Tax Office for further legal action.

    Seized cigarettes lacking valid tax stamps, or with fake ones, will be confiscated and destroyed, with seizures reported to the FBR within 48 hours using a newly developed application. The move is aimed at curbing illicit cigarette trade and ensuring compliance with excise regulations across Pakistan.