Islamabad: A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control was convened under the leadership of Senator Saifullah Abro to address concerns regarding alleged tax evasion and lapses in customs oversight. The session was attended by Senators Muhammad Talha Mahmood and Umer Farooq, who focused on the reported disappearance of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) warehouses in Swabi and Mardan.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee raised serious concerns about the performance of Pakistan Customs, particularly highlighting ineffective monitoring of sales from tax-free zones in the former FATA region. Senator Abro noted that businesses were misusing these zones by establishing factories but distributing products nationwide, failing to benefit local communities.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials reported that interrogation of the warehouse security guard yielded no admissions of responsibility, as he denied having access to the keys. The absence of a formally deputed warehouse in-charge was identified as a critical oversight. Senator Abro demanded documentation on the import of machinery by Paramount Tobacco Company, with FBR (RTO Peshawar) revealing that the company declared its machinery’s value at Rs. 3.5 million in 2018, often using refurbished equipment.

The Sub-Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the incomplete information from the FIA, which promised comprehensive details for the next meeting. Concerns were also raised about delays in statements from Paramount Tobacco Company, whose owner has petitioned the High Court over alleged harassment, leading Senator Abro to call for the arrest of non-compliant individuals after seven days.

Pakistan Customs informed the committee about anti-smuggling efforts, particularly in Balochistan, and was directed to report on seized items and beneficiaries involved in smuggling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since 2012. The committee also scrutinized inflated prices in tax-exempt areas, asserting that such incentives should benefit local communities rather than being exploited for national distribution.