The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has again failed to submit tax data on Pakistan Tobacco Company and Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited despite repeated commitments to a Senate Sub-Committee.
The committee also sought records related to Rs 1,120 billion worth of consumption certificates issued for tax-exempt areas. Members raised concerns over the delay and warned that weak monitoring systems could allow tax-free goods to enter taxable markets.
The Senate Sub-Committee, led by Senator Saifullah Abro, met at Parliament House to review the missing tax data, tobacco smuggling, tax evasion, and duty exemption practices. The meeting also focused on improving oversight and strengthening accountability across the tobacco sector.
During the meeting, the committee again directed the FBR to provide the promised records. These include consumption certificates covering Rs 1,120 billion in tax-exempt areas and tax data related to Pakistan Tobacco Company and Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited.
The committee also reviewed the tax exemption system in the former FATA and PATA regions. According to the briefing, non-taxable raw materials worth Rs 1,120 billion entered these regions between 2018 and 2026.
However, members expressed concern over the manual tracking process. They said the lack of an automated verification system creates a high risk of tax-free goods entering taxable markets illegally.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt raised concerns over remarks made about a private TV channel reporter during an earlier committee meeting.
In response, Senator Saifullah Abro said the committee respects every citizen equally and considers the media an important partner in governance. He added that the committee remains committed to tackling illegal tobacco smuggling and reducing its impact on the national economy.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also briefed the committee on cigarette theft cases in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Members reviewed investigations involving senior officials and discussed a tax charge sheet issued against Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue (IR) Fahim Rashid in connection with Paramount Tobacco Company.
In addition, the committee discussed the theft of 2,828 cigarette cartons from an FBR warehouse. The stolen goods were valued at Rs 25 crore. As a result, the committee directed the FBR to prepare clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) for registering, storing, and managing seized goods.
The committee also reviewed advertising and media spending data submitted by the Press Information Department (PID) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). Members called for greater transparency in government advertising spending and tobacco industry media campaigns.
At the end of the meeting, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant departments to improve accountability and strengthen regulatory oversight in the tobacco sector.
The meeting was attended by Senators Umer Farooq, Muhammad Talha Mehmood, and Dilawar Khan as special invitees. Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, PID, FBR Inland Revenue, Customs, FIA, NCCIA, and other relevant divisions also participated.
