‘Misleading data’: FBR official grilled by parliamentary panel

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary body on Monday grilled an official of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for allegedly presenting misleading data to the committee regarding tax evasion.

The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control met under the convenership of Senator Saifullah Abro and reviewed the alleged theft of 2,828 cigarette cartons from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR godowns in Swabi and Mardan), matters related to tobacco tax and smuggling-related issues, public awareness campaigns, narcotics control, and enforcement mechanisms of the FBR, including stock and inventory management.

During the previous meeting, Senator Abro had directed the FBR to provide details of tobacco companies that pay taxes and those allegedly involved in tax evasion. He also questioned how tobacco companies are able to run advertisements worth billions of rupees despite the applicable restrictions.

Abro reprimanded the FBR’s Chief Operations Officer, Javed Iqbal Tarar, for allegedly providing incorrect information about tax evasion. Expressing strong displeasure, the chairman ordered the official to leave the meeting, saying, “Get out of the committee.”

He criticised the presence of officials who, according to him, were misleading the committee, stating that “such corrupt officials have been appointed to key positions.” He further directed that a letter be sent to the relevant minister recommending the immediate removal of the FBR official from his post.

The senator also alleged that “three to four officers have ruined the entire country,” underscoring his dissatisfaction with the performance of certain officials during the proceedings.

During the meeting, Abro questioned officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) about the status of theft of cigarette cartons worth Rs250 million from FBR warehouses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Responding to the committee, the FIA director said the inquiry had been completed and that a formal case would now be registered. The official added that the matter would be forwarded to Peshawar, where the FIR would be lodged.

FIA officials informed the committee that their inquiry had found a Deputy Collector of Customs and two customs inspectors responsible in connection with the case.

Abro questioned whether any external pressure was preventing the registration of the case. FIA officials replied that they had not received any recommendations or influence regarding the investigation.

The senator, however, claimed that he had personally received more than 20 recommendations related to the case and directed the FIA to register the case the same day and immediately provide a copy of the FIR to the parliamentary committee.

He further demanded that the Deputy Collector of Customs, whom he had fled the country, be brought back through Interpol to face legal proceedings.

The officials of the Press Information Department (PID) briefed the committee on its media awareness campaigns conducted on behalf of various Ministries and Divisions. It informed the Committee that awareness campaigns are aired through 92 television channels and other media platforms, with all content and expenditures being borne by the sponsoring Ministry or Division.

They said that campaigns regarding the sale of illegal cigarettes were carried out on behalf of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Abro directed the PID to submit complete details of all media contracts, campaign expenditures, and agreements with television channels.

During the discussion on the tobacco sector, the committee was informed that Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) and Philip Morris International (PMI) are among the major tax-paying tobacco companies.

The Convener expressed concern over the lack of information provided by the FBR regarding tax collection from tobacco manufacturers, stating that no comprehensive briefing had been submitted despite repeated directions.

The committee sought complete details of taxes assessed, collected, and pending from the tobacco industry, along with records of all registered tobacco factories over the last 20 years.

It directed the FBR to submit documentary evidence regarding the pending taxes, a complete list of tobacco companies and their brands, details of imported raw materials, and revenue and tax collection data spanning the past two decades.

The parliamentary body also directed the FIA to investigate the corruption case involving Badshah Wazir, particularly concerning raw materials imported for tax-exempt areas that allegedly never reached their intended destinations.

The committee was informed that the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) accounted for approximately 49 percent of the country’s total narcotics seizures during the previous year.

Officials further noted that drug abuse patterns are shifting from plant-based narcotics to synthetic and chemical drugs.

The committee was also briefed on the status of the high-profile Anmol alias “Pinky” drug trafficking case.

Expressing concern over conflicting accounts presented in previous meetings regarding the arrest of Anmol alias Pinky, the convener questioned why she had been provided with an extensive police escort during court appearances and directed law enforcement agencies to investigate her alleged links with influential individuals.

The meeting was also attended by Senators Mohammad Talha Mahmood, Dilawar Khan, and Hidayatullah Khan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026