Cigarette smuggling causing over Rs 20bn loss annually

The country suffers an annual loss of over Rs 20 billion owing of illegal tobacco trade as international smugglers have allegedly forge a nexus with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to target local cigarette manufacture companies through a fake report. According to local cigarette companies, smuggled cigarettes are available in the market despite the presence of the intelligence directorates general of the Customs Department and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
“If FBR effectively checks non-duty paid items, smuggled items would not be available in the federal capital,” the companies said, adding that the main reason for the failure to control cigarette smuggling was lack of efforts by the agencies.

 

http://dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/13-Apr-16/cigarette-smuggling-causing-over-rs-20bn-loss-annually