MULTAN: A massive security breach has raised serious concerns at the Regional Tax Office (RTO) in Multan, where a theft involving cigarettes worth Rs30 million has reportedly gone uninvestigated. Chief Commissioner RTO Multan, Sarmad Qureshi, has faced criticism for his office’s inability to effectively probe the incident and ensure accountability.
The theft is suspected to involve members of the RTO Multan’s administration, casting doubts on the internal security and integrity within the office. Reports indicate that the stolen cigarettes had supposedly been marked for destruction due to regulatory compliance issues. However, conflicting statements from RTO officials have fueled suspicions of administrative involvement, with some officials claiming that the cigarettes had already been “sent for destruction” prior to the reported theft.
This incident has led to serious concerns regarding security protocols at RTO Multan, with industry observers questioning the transparency and accountability of the office. This high-value theft comes at a time when the RTO Multan has already been under scrutiny for its underperformance in tax collection, particularly from local industrialists. The office’s challenges in meeting collection targets have reportedly strained its reputation, making this breach all the more troubling.
Local business leaders and tax experts have called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to intervene, demanding a comprehensive investigation to identify those responsible for the theft. Stakeholders are also urging the implementation of stricter security measures within RTO Multan to prevent future incidents of this nature.
As the investigation remains stalled, the credibility of RTO Multan is at risk, with increasing calls for Sarmad Qureshi to address the concerns of taxpayers and improve overall tax administration and security.
