Senate subcommittee asks FBR and FIA for details on cigarette brands, tax payments and alleged theft of 2,828 seized cartons.
ISLAMABAD, August 7, 2026: A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant institutions to submit detailed reports on the seizure and alleged theft of non-custom-paid cigarettes, while also seeking comprehensive information about Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) and the country’s tobacco industry.
The subcommittee, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, met at Parliament House on Friday to review a report broadcast by private television channel ABN News concerning non-custom-paid cigarettes seized by Pakistan Customs and the Motorway Police near Chakri.
FIA Submits Inquiry Report to FBR
Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the committee that a comprehensive inquiry report into the alleged theft of seized cigarettes had already been forwarded to the FBR.
The committee directed the FBR and other relevant agencies to provide detailed information about:
• Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC).
• Tobacco manufacturers operating in Pakistan.
• Registered cigarette brands.
• Tax payments by tobacco companies.
• Imported raw materials.
• Revenue collected from the tobacco sector.
Senator Abro said the committee’s objective was not to target journalists but to investigate allegations of large-scale tax evasion within the tobacco industry.
The inquiry was prompted by the alleged theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from an FBR warehouse. The matter is currently being investigated by the FIA.
Committee Seeks Cigarette Brand and Tax Details
The subcommittee also instructed the FIA to provide details of the cigarette brands involved in the case, along with additional information concerning imported tobacco materials and associated tax records.
The requested information is expected to help the committee assess the broader tax and regulatory issues surrounding the tobacco sector, in addition to determining the circumstances surrounding the missing seized cigarettes.
Information Ministry Explains Media Complaint Framework
During the meeting, the committee also directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Press Information Department (PID) to submit reports concerning the issue.
Members discussed the legal framework governing complaints against television channels and newspapers.
Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khail briefed the committee on the regulatory framework for electronic and print media. He clarified that neither the ministry nor the PID has the authority to directly take action against television channels or newspapers.
According to the secretary, complaints against television channels can be submitted to the relevant Council of Complaints, while complaints concerning newspapers may be referred to the Press Council of Pakistan.
He said the government remained committed to protecting the rights, professional independence and welfare of journalists and media workers.
Ashfaq Ahmed Khail also highlighted the role of the Commission for Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, which was established under the relevant law to safeguard journalists’ rights.
PFUJ Says Legal Forums Available
Speaking before the committee, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt said journalists were not above the law and that complaints against media organisations or individual journalists could be taken to the appropriate legal forums.
He specifically referred to bodies including the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the Press Council of Pakistan.
The information secretary further said the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of expression within the limits prescribed by law, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to promoting free, responsible and professional journalism.
ABN News Report Referred for Review
Concluding the meeting, Senator Abro said journalists were “our arms” and highly valued by the committee, while stressing that no individual should be permitted to defame another person or unjustifiably damage someone’s reputation.
The committee referred the matter concerning the ABN News report to PFUJ President Afzal Butt for an independent review.
It asked him to examine the issue and submit his findings to the committee, while the FBR, FIA and other relevant institutions were directed to provide the requested information on the seized cigarettes and the wider tobacco sector.