RTO Rawalpindi starts action against illegal cigarette trade

The first special squad created by Regional Tax Office (RTO) Rawalpindi has started monitoring of major distributors of local brands of cigarettes originating from KPK and AJK and conducting raids on shops/mega stores/malls illegal warehouses used for storage and sale of non tax/duty paid cigarettes.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the RTO Rawalpindi has taken the initiative of creating a special Squad to combat the major leakage in national revenue within the tobacco industry. In this regard, the said RTO has started enforcement action against Non-Taxes/Duty Paid Cigarettes through the special squad.
Consequent upon the decisions taken by 2nd Chief Commissioners Conference, especially with reference to crack down on illicit cigarettes trade RTO Rawalpindi has constituted a special Squad to deal with the issue. Shujjat Ali Khan, Assistant Director Regional Intelligence, Investigation &Prosecution (II&P) unit has been made head of this enforcement squad. Tahir Amir, Usman Shaukat, Senior Auditors and Rashid Shah and Mr. Shahzad Bashir Inspectors IR are the members of this squad. This squad shall perform anti-illicit cigarettes trade throughout RTO Rawalpindi.
Primarily, the said squad will conduct six major operations including Education & Taxpayers facilitation of traders at major commercial hubs to sensitise them about the legal & penal repercussions of any involvement in the said trade.
The squad would have the mandate to conduct raids on shops/mega stores/malls illegal warehouses and undeclared godowns used for parking, storage and sale of non tax/duty paid cigarettes.
It would be engaged in monitoring of major distributors of local brands originating from KPK and AJK based manufacturers.
The special squad would be engaged in interception of movement of illegal cigarettes both local as well smuggled brands and ensure close liaison with I&I-IR for co-ordinated efforts aiming at combating this illicit trade.
The special squad would also be responsible for initiation of criminal prosecution proceedings against the persons/concerns involved in this nefarious activity.
As the first measure on Tuesday, the aforesaid squad has visited premier business locations at Rawalpindi and during this process identified certain businesses which are dealing in non duty/taxes paid cigarettes.
The squad has completed the survey of the territorial jurisdiction of Rawalpindi and compiled complete details of the Units involved in Sale of Non Duty/Tax Paid Cigarettes. The squad has found that the major Suppliers of smuggled cigarettes are located in Raja Bazar/Narankari Bazar, Rawalpindi.
As the first measure the squad has urged the traders to immediately remove the illegal stocks from the shelves and made it clear that during forthcoming discreet visits/mystery shopping if they were found involved then strict penal action shall be taken against the accused. The store owners assured their complete co-operation to the tax department.
Chief Commissioner Muhammad Tanvir Akhtar appreciated the efforts of squad members for starting enforcement actions against the illicit trade of cigarettes, sources added.