KARACHI: The Regional Tax Office-II (RTO-II) Karachi has carried out a major operation against the illegal manufacture and trade of cigarettes, seizing cigarette-making machinery, raw materials and finished products worth millions of rupees.
The action was conducted as part of the nationwide crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade on the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
According to an official statement, officers of the Inland Revenue Enforcement Squad (IREN) of RTO-II Karachi conducted a raid on an illegal cigarette manufacturing facility following the receipt of confidential information.
During the operation, the factory was sealed and the machinery used for cigarette manufacturing was dismantled and taken into government custody. Large quantities of raw materials and finished cigarettes were also confiscated and shifted to the official premises of RTO-II Karachi.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against those allegedly involved in the illegal operation, while an FIR has been registered before the Court of the Special Judge (Customs & Taxation), Karachi.
The operation was led by Baqir Ali, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue (DCIR). The operation was coordinated by Dr. Aslam Marri, Commissioner Inland Revenue, RTO-II Karachi and Regional Coordinator IREN Sindh & Balochistan, while Zafar Rafiq Siddiqui, Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, RTO-II Karachi, supervised the action.
The authorities have also formally commenced criminal investigations into the case. Further legal proceedings are underway in accordance with the law.
The action is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to curb illicit cigarette manufacturing, tax evasion and the illegal tobacco trade across the country.
