The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has lodged an FIR against five FBR officers and three private company officials.
The case concerns the alleged theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from FBR warehouses. The incident reportedly caused a loss of around Rs250 million.
The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle registered the case on Tuesday. FIA Assistant Director Muhammad Safir Ahmed filed the complaint.
According to the FIR, five Federal Board of Revenue officials were nominated as accused. Three officials from a private company were also named.
The FBR officials include Inspectors Kamran and Naveed. A driver, security guard and naib qasid were also nominated.
Two directors and a manager of the private company were named in the case. The FIA has started efforts to arrest the nominated suspects.
Officials said FIA teams conducted raids at different locations. The raids were aimed at locating those named in the case.
The FIR details the alleged disappearance of cigarette cartons from FBR warehouses. The case began with cigarettes seized in Swabi in February 2024.
According to the FIR, authorities seized 1,262 cartons in Swabi. The cartons were later shifted to an FBR warehouse in Mardan.
The document stated that Inspectors Kamran and Naveed later transferred 1,202 cartons. The cartons were moved from Mardan back to Swabi.
The trucks reached the Swabi warehouse after the transfer. Officials then discovered that 908 cartons were missing.
The FIR stated that officials later claimed to recover 907 cartons. This recovery reportedly took place around three months later.
However, a subsequent inspection produced a different finding. The inspection was conducted about a year after the reported recovery.
It found that 2,828 cartons were missing in total. The figure included the 907 cartons that officials had previously claimed to recover.
The FIA has alleged that FBR staff were involved in the disappearance. It also alleged coordination between FBR employees and private company officials.
The alleged actions caused a financial loss of around Rs250 million. The amount was described as a loss to the national exchequer.
The FIR against the officials also contains allegations about warehouse management. It stated that logbooks were deliberately not maintained.
The document also alleged that CCTV cameras were not installed at the warehouses. The FIA is investigating whether these shortcomings facilitated the alleged theft.
The allegations have been made in the FIR and have not been established by a court. The nominated suspects will have the opportunity to respond through the legal process.
The investigation agency is continuing efforts to trace the accused. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The case has raised questions about the handling of seized goods at government warehouses. Proper records and surveillance are important for protecting confiscated items.
The FIR against the eight nominated suspects covers alleged theft and related irregularities. Investigators are expected to examine warehouse records and other available evidence.
The FIA will also investigate the movement of the cigarette cartons between Swabi and Mardan. Officials may examine transport records and warehouse documentation.
The case remains under investigation by the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle. Further developments are expected as investigators proceed with the inquiry.
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