FIA informs Senate panel: FBR officer ‘responsible’ for theft of cigarettes worth Rs250m

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday informed a parliamentary body that its inquiry into the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) warehouses had been completed, and that one FBR officer had been found responsible for the theft of cigarettes worth Rs 250 million.

FIA Deputy Director Afzal Niazi, while briefing the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, which met under the convenorship of Senator Saifullah Abro, said the agency had obtained records related to the theft from the parliamentary body and concluded that the FBR was responsible for the incident.

He said the FIA had conducted an inquiry against three FBR officials, including Deputy Collector Faheem Rashid. The inquiry report has been forwarded to the FBR, and a first information report (FIR) will be registered after the FBR Board meeting, he added.

Niazi said the agency had also recommended the registration of a case against a private company, Paramount Tobacco Company.

Committee Convener Senator Saifullah Abro directed the relevant officials to submit details of all tobacco companies operating in the country, including their names and the amount of tax paid by each company.

He questioned who was behind Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC), alleging that influential individuals appeared to be backing the company, which, he claimed, was the reason the FBR had not provided its tax details to the committee.

Abro said that, according to the FBR, Senators Faisal Saleem Rehman and Dilawar Khan had no connection with the 11 trucks carrying cigarettes that were seized near Chakri and Balkasar on the Motorway last month.

He recalled that, during the previous meeting, the committee had directed the FIA to investigate the airing of a television news report linking Senators Faisal Saleem Rehman and Dilawar Khan with the seized cigarettes.

Senator Talha Mahmood said neither the television channel nor its reporter was at fault for broadcasting the news, adding that both had been used by others.

He said the committee’s biggest mistake was allowing Senator Dilawar Khan to become part of its proceedings.

“Dilawar is neither a member of this committee nor was he invited. Why did he attend the meeting?” Talha asked, adding that Dilawar’s participation had led to allegations against the committee.

He said Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman had also been defamed because of the controversy and warned that if Senator Dilawar continued attending the committee’s meetings, he would no longer remain a member of the committee himself.

Talha further claimed that the prime minister had been informed that owners of cigarette manufacturing companies had been made part of the committee.

“If Senator Dilawar attends the next meeting, I will not participate,” he said.

Senator Dilawar Khan reacted angrily, saying he had remained patient despite repeatedly hearing his name mentioned, but warned Senator Talha not to mention his name again.

The two senators then exchanged harsh words, with Senator Talha questioning Dilawar Khan’s credentials.

Senator Dilawar responded by saying, “People like you are my servants.”

Abro defended Dilawar Khan, saying the senator had attended the meeting as a special invitee and had never sought any personal benefit.

Talha Mahmood also alleged that the FBR’s policies had forced tobacco growers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take to the streets in protest.

The parliamentary body directed the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) to inform the committee about the source of the news report aired by the television channel.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt expressed concern over remarks made against the media during the meeting. He said the media was not above the law and that any complaints against journalists should be taken to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) or the Press Council of Pakistan.

Butt also objected to the committee’s recommendation that media owners and reporters be treated like criminals, saying such an approach was unacceptable.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026