ISLAMABAD: A recent meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, revealed significant administrative gaps as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) failed to submit crucial data, complicating discussions on tax evasion in the tobacco sector and narcotics control measures.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting, held at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, was attended by Senators Mohammad Talha Mahmood, Dilawar Khan, and Hidayat Ullah Khan. The Sub-Committee examined issues related to tax evasion, public awareness initiatives, and enforcement strategies. The Press Information Department (PID) detailed its media campaigns, revealing that content and expenses are managed by the sponsoring Ministry or Division, but was instructed to provide further details on media contracts and expenditures.
Javed Iqbal Tarer, Chief Sales Tax at FBR, was unable to provide the requested data, leading to his dismissal from the meeting. The Committee expressed dissatisfaction over FBR’s failure to deliver comprehensive briefings on tax collections from tobacco manufacturers, despite prior directives. The Committee demanded full documentation of taxes assessed, collected, and pending from the tobacco industry over the past 20 years.
The Committee was informed of the deployment of Rangers by the FBR to combat tax evasion in the tobacco sector. Despite previous reports indicating tobacco-related taxes collected amounted to Rs.75 billion, it was disclosed that Rs.40 billion remains outstanding. The Committee ordered the FBR to provide documentary proof of the pending taxes and detailed records of the tobacco companies and their brands.
In addition, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was tasked with probing a corruption case involving Badshah Wazir related to imported raw materials for tax-exempt areas. Senator Mohammad Talha Mahmood called for impartial and evidence-based proceedings.
The Committee reviewed efforts in narcotics control, receiving a comprehensive report from Punjab Police on narcotics seizures and legal actions over the past 20 years. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) accounted for 49 percent of the country’s total narcotics seizures last year. Discussions included the potential use of seized narcotics for pharmaceutical or research purposes to generate revenue.
The DIG South, Karachi Police, briefed on anti-narcotics operations, highlighting over 105,000 registered cases and approximately 127,000 arrests since 2013. The Committee scrutinized inconsistencies in the high-profile Anmol alias “Pinky” drug trafficking case, questioning her extensive police escort and alleged connections with influential figures. It was revealed that 28 cases were registered against her, and 35 delivery riders linked to her network were arrested.
Senator Mahmood also requested detailed data from Pakistan Customs on imports and exports, expressing concerns about under-invoicing and trade activities through the Sost Border and with Iran. The meeting concluded with a summons for the Inspectors General of Police of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan to attend the next session, and a directive for all departments to furnish the required information before the next meeting.