SUKKUR, Oct 30 (DNA):The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) carried out a major operation in Sukkur, destroying non tax paid cigarettes and tobacco worth Rs 570 million here on Friday.
The Regional Tax Office (RTO) Sukkur seized and set ablaze confiscated illegal cigarettes in an operation.
During the last two months, 11 operations were conducted, resulting in the seizure of 1,644 cartons of illegal cigarettes. The value of the seized cigarettes has been estimated at Rs 210 million.
Tax evasion amounting to Rs 367 million was detected under the heads of Sales Tax and Federal Excise Duty. The action against illegal cigarettes was taken on the special directives of Chief Commissioner Zigham Abbas.
The confiscated cigarettes were destroyed under the supervision of Commissioner Mumtaz Ahmed Thebo and other officers. The operations were carried out by a special team headed by Inland Revenue Officer Abdul Majeed Sangi.
Chief Commissioner Zigham Abbas said there is a zero tolerance policy against tax evasion and tax defaulters.
Indiscriminate action will continue against those causing loss to the national exchequer, the Chief Commissioner said. He added that the sale of illegal cigarettes not only causes loss to national revenue but also creates difficulties for legal businesses. “We will take stricter actions to end tax evasion and protect the national exchequer,” said Chief Commissioner FBR.
