ISLAMABAD: In what officials are describing as one of the largest recent seizures of untaxed cigarettes, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) intercepted 11 trucks near Chakri and confiscated cigarettes worth an estimated Rs220 million that were allegedly being transported without payment of applicable taxes.


According to sources, the seized consignment included Cafe cigarettes, a registered brand of Universal Tobacco Company. The shipment was allegedly being transported to Punjab when it was intercepted during a motorway operation.


Sources said Universal Tobacco Company is owned by former Member of the National Assembly Haji Naseem ur Rehman. The same political family is also reported to own Millat Tobacco Company and Markhor Tobacco Company.


The development has also drawn attention because Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, a close relative of Haji Naseem ur Rehman, currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior.


Sources familiar with tax enforcement matters claimed the Senate committee has previously faced criticism over its handling of issues related to the tobacco industry. They alleged that a special committee on cigarettes had been accused of targeting field officers involved in anti-tax evasion operations. These allegations have not been independently verified.


Officials also pointed to earlier enforcement actions by Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Faheem Rashid, who allegedly seized tobacco products worth nearly Rs3 billion linked to the Universal Tobacco Group over alleged tax evasion. Sources further claimed that Faheem Rashid had also initiated multiple enforcement actions against Sovereign Tobacco Company, allegedly linked to Senator Dilawar Khan, on similar grounds.


Following the latest seizure, sources said some senior Motorway Police officials are concerned that the operation could trigger scrutiny in light of previous controversies surrounding parliamentary oversight of tobacco tax enforcement.


Neither Universal Tobacco Company, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, Haji Naseem ur Rehman, Senator Dilawar Khan, nor the Senate Standing Committee on Interior had issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.


The investigation into the seized consignment is expected to continue, while relevant authorities are likely to examine possible violations of tax and customs laws.