ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (EPI): The Senate Sub-Committee convened by Senator Saifullah Abro today at Parliament House to address press freedom concerns, examine smuggling networks, and assess multi-billion rupee tax evasion and duty exemption irregularities within the tobacco sector.<\/p>\n
The meeting commenced with Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt raising concerns over remarks regarding a private channel reporter during a previous committee meeting.<\/p>\n
Responding to the concerns, the Convener emphasized that the committee holds every citizen in equal high regard and considers the media as an essential partner in governance. The Convener affirmed the committee’s mandate to tackle illegal tobacco smuggling and related national economic challenges.<\/p>\n
During proceedings, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) briefed members on cigarette theft cases in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Concurrently, details were presented regarding investigations into senior officers and a tax charge-sheet issued against Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue (IR) Fahim Rashid in connection with Paramount Tobacco Company.<\/p>\n
Additionally, inquiries regarding 2,828 stolen cigarette cartons valued at 25 crore rupees from a FBR warehouse were discussed, leading to committee directives for FBR to formulate clear SOPs for registering and managing seized goods.<\/p>\n
Addressing tax exemption mechanisms in erstwhile FATA and PATA regions, the committee scrutinized the issuance of consumption certificates by the Federal Board of Revenue and Customs for imported raw materials exempt from taxes.<\/p>\n
While non-taxable raw materials valued at 1,120 billion rupees entered these regions between 2018 and 2026, concerns were highlighted over manual tracking and the lack of automated verification mechanisms, which create severe risks of illegal diversion into taxable markets.<\/p>\n
The Committee again directed FBR to provide the requisite data as committed earlier, including consumption certificates of Rs 1120 billion in tax exempted areas, and tax data of the tobacco sector, particularly Pakistan Tobacco Company and Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited.<\/p>\n
The committee further reviewed advertising and media expenditure data provided by the Press Information Department (PID) and PEMRA, calling for complete transparency regarding government advertisement disbursements and tobacco industry media campaigns.<\/p>\n
Reaffirming its commitment to thorough oversight, the committee resolved to continue working closely with key agencies to enforce accountability and streamline regulatory frameworks.<\/p>\n
The committee was attended by Senators Umer Farooq, Muhammad Talha Mehmood, Dilawar khan,as special invitee along with Senior officials from Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, PID, FBR Inland Revenue, Customs, FIA, NCCIA and relative divisions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"