KARACHI: The distributors in Karachi are reportedly involved in benami sales of non-duty paid cigarettes, Pakistan Today learnt on Thursday. Sources said that after receiving a complaint about involvement of the local distributors in benami sales of non-duty paid cigarettes, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’ Anti-Benami Zone-III Karachi has ordered an inquiry to gather third-party information of the local distributors to assess the genuineness of the complaint. The sales department officials not only keep such type of sales out of the FBR’ radar but also make financial transaction through their personal bank accounts, causing loss to the national exchequer, sources added. The Inland Revenue’s enforcement, and Intelligence and Investigation teams have seized around 4.4 million non-duty paid cigarettes, worth Rs9.75 million, in the last six months. It is pertinent to mention that tobacco sector costs Pakistan over Rs100 billion on yearly basis due to counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes.

Source: Pakistan Today March 18, 2021 19:51 UTC