ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control on Monday directed the Pakistan Customs to submit comprehensive details of seized items lying in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan from 2012 to date.
The panel also sought details of beneficiaries involved in the smuggling of goods during the same period. A meeting, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, deliberated on the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) godowns in Swabi and Mardan. Abro expressed concern over the performance of the Pakistan Customs, particularly the lack of effective checks and balances on sales from tax-free zones in the erstwhile FATA region. He observed that certain business entities had established factories in these zones but, instead of benefiting underprivileged local communities, were distributing their products across the country.
Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the committee that the warehouse security guard had been interrogated but denied the allegations, claiming that he was never in possession of the keys. They disclosed that the warehouse incharge had not been formally deputed by the department, terming it a serious lapse.
Abro directed authorities to provide documentation regarding the import of machinery by the Paramount Tobacco Company. The FBR (RTO Peshawar) told the committee that the company had declared the value of its machinery at Rs3.5 million in its 2018 returns, adding that such firms often procure second-hand machinery and refurbish it for operational use.
The sub-committee expressed dissatisfaction over the incomplete information provided by the FIA which assured that comprehensive details would be furnished at the next meeting. The chairman raised concerns over delays in the submission of statements from the Paramount Tobacco Company. The FIA officials said the company’s owner had been summoned but filed a petition in the high court, alleging harassment by the agency.
Abro directed that individuals who fail to appear before the FIA after being summoned should be arrested after seven days in accordance with the law. An FBR member emphasized that identifying the ultimate beneficiaries of the stolen cigarette cartons would significantly help resolve the case.
The Pakistan Customs briefed the committee on measures taken to curb smuggling, noting that a significant proportion of incidents occur in Balochistan. The committee reiterated its directive for comprehensive details of seized items and beneficiaries involved in smuggling from 2012 to date. The chairman further expressed concern over the sale of goods at inflated prices in tax-exempt areas such as Malakand and the former FATA region. He reiterated that these concessions were intended to support local, underprivileged communities, but industrial units were exploiting the incentives by distributing goods nationwide instead of limiting benefits to the designated areas.
