The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has authorised provincial officials, including deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and other revenue officers, to conduct raids on retail outlets, warehouses, and motor vehicles to seize illicit and smuggled cigarettes.
According to media reports, the FBR issued SRO 1279(I) 2025, granting provincial tax officials the authority to enforce seizure actions under the Federal Excise Act, specifically concerning cigarettes.
The designated officers, such as deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and their equivalents, will have the authority to seize counterfeit cigarettes and beverages that have been unlawfully produced or transported without paying the required excise duty. The items, along with the vehicles used for their transportation, will be confiscated.
Seized cigarettes and beverages will be destroyed according to the prescribed procedure, while the seized items will be transferred to the nearest Regional Tax Office for further action.
The newly authorized officers are required to report any seizures within 48 hours through the FBR’s designated application. These reports will be forwarded to the Director General of Intelligence and Investigation for further handling.
Extension in anti-smuggling powers
The FBR has also extended the anti-smuggling powers of various law enforcement agencies (LEAs) until June 30, 2026, to strengthen efforts against smuggling activities across Pakistan.
In a series of notifications issued on Tuesday, the FBR empowered the Frontier Corps Balochistan (North/South), Pakistan Rangers, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), and Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) to actively tackle smuggling. These agencies will operate in coordination with Pakistan Customs officials to effectively combat illicit trade.
The FBR also made amendments to several earlier notifications, clarifying the scope and limitations of the powers delegated to these LEAs in the fight against smuggling.
