Probe into ‘theft’ of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes: Panel directs FIA to include all relevant FBR officials

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to include all relevant Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers and officials in the investigation of theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from the FBR godowns in Swabi and Mardan.

A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control was held at Parliament House on Monday under the convenorship of Senator Saifullah Abro. The meeting was convened to further investigate the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) godowns in Swabi and Mardan and to determine responsibility for the incident. Senator Umer Farooq also attended the meeting.

The Sub-Committee received a detailed briefing from the FIA investigation team regarding the current status of the inquiry. The committee was informed that statements of 20 relevant officers and officials have so far been recorded. It was further apprised that 1,262 cartons out of the total missing stock belong to the Kissan Tobacco brand of Paramount Tobacco Company, while efforts are underway to determine the ownership of the remaining cartons.

Members of the Sub-Committee expressed concern over the seriousness of the FBR in addressing the matter. The convenor directed the FIA investigation team to record statements of the RTO, Chief Commissioner, and Member (Tobacco) who were in office at the time of the incident.

The Sub-Committee also referred to earlier inquiries conducted against the Member (Tobacco) during his posting in Lahore and urged the FIA to include all relevant FBR officers and officials in the investigation. It further recommended scrutiny of the assets of the concerned officers.

During the meeting, a Member of the FBR requested that the investigation should also examine the possibility of involvement of a tobacco cartel or any other nexus, noting that the tobacco company’s factory, along with high-value machinery, had been attached, and the confiscated cartons were evidence in a tax evasion case. The convenor directed the FIA to investigate this aspect as well.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026