by Department of Information Bhimber
March 10, 2025
Bhimber…
Multi-Million Rupee Cigarette Smuggling Attempt Foiled
Major Operation by the Inland Revenue Department
In compliance with the zero-tolerance policy of the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, action has been taken against a non-custom-paid cigarette company.
According to the spokesperson of the Inland Revenue Department, the Excise Circle of Land Revenue South Zone, Bhimber, carried out a significant operation, seizing illegal cigarettes worth millions belonging to Watan Tobacco Company, Barnala Bhimber. The department’s personnel thwarted an attempt by the factory administration to smuggle these cigarettes in a private vehicle. The factory management was attempting to smuggle finished goods out of Bhimber without paying federal excise duty and sales tax. A detailed search operation of the factory premises was also conducted by the Inland Revenue Department, leading to the discovery of a secret warehouse behind the factory containing illicit cigarettes worth millions. All seized goods were taken into custody, and legal proceedings have been initiated.
Smuggling Attempt and Seizure Details
As per a detailed press release issued by the Inland Revenue Department, on March 10, 2025, Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue Bhimber, Muhammad Tanveer Khalid, received credible information that Watan Tobacco Company was planning to smuggle illegal cigarettes using private vehicles. Acting swiftly, the Deputy Commissioner mobilized the field staff and personally monitored the situation, reaching the Toll & Excise Check Post in Barnala.
At 12:15 PM, a suspicious white Toyota Corolla (Punjab Registration No. LED-6378A-18) carrying factory owners was spotted. When the Inland Revenue field staff attempted to stop the vehicle, the occupants fled back toward the factory. The Deputy Commissioner and his team pursued the vehicle, which re-entered the factory premises. Upon searching the vehicle, 80,000 Gold Mark Brand 20HL cigarettes (400 cartons) were discovered in the trunk. These cigarettes were being smuggled without paying the applicable Federal Excise Duty of PKR 404,000 and Sales Tax of PKR 78,000.
Following this, the Deputy Commissioner and Inland Revenue staff conducted a thorough search of the entire factory premises. This led to the discovery of a hidden warehouse behind the factory containing thousands of counterfeit cigarettes, including over 100 cartons of Gold Mark and other brands. These were intended to be smuggled out of Bhimber without paying duties and taxes. However, due to the comprehensive strategy and constant vigilance of the Inland Revenue Department, this illegal attempt was successfully thwarted.
Strict Legal Action Initiated
The inventory of all confiscated goods is being prepared, with an estimated market value running into millions of rupees, along with tax and duty obligations amounting to hundreds of thousands. The Deputy Commissioner has seized the entire stock and the vehicle used in the smuggling attempt, initiating further legal action.
It is worth mentioning that Prime Minister Azad Kashmir, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, has issued a clear directive to take strict action against such lawbreakers. Following these instructions, Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Syed Ansar Ali, recently conducted a detailed inspection of all cigarette manufacturing units in Bhimber.
Today’s successful operation by the Inland Revenue Department, Bhimber, is a direct implementation of the Prime Minister’s zero-tolerance policy against non-duty-paid cigarettes. The crackdown on illegal activities will continue in the future, ensuring strict measures against such elements. Commissioner Inland Revenue, Syed Ansar Ali, appreciated the efforts of the Bhimber Circle staff and directed them to further tighten the grip on tax evaders, ensure tax collection, and closely monitor their movements to safeguard government revenue.
