SIALKOT: The coordinated steps taken by the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, Inland Revenue will play a pivotal role in controlling the illicit trade of cigarettes in Pakistan, an official of Pakistan Customs said.
The illegal trade of cigarettes in 2014 alone caused to the revenue loss of over Rs 24 billion to national exchequer.
According to a study conducted by Nielson on illicit trade of cigarettes in Pakistan revealed that only two manufacturers contribute an astounding 99.3 percent to the total revenue collected from the cigarette industry.
It further revealed that the illicit manufacturers, who make up almost a quarter of the market, contribute only 0.7 percent to the total revenue.
Source disclosed that the manufacturing and distribution of locally manufactured cigarettes in Pakistan was not cover activity but this supply chain was well established across the country and was operating seamlessly.
