NN Online:
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has instructed its regional offices to initiate a campaign targeting the sale and distribution of illegal cigarettes, bidi, and tobacco products at the grassroots level.
In an order issued on February 6, 2025, 200 committees were formed for this purpose, led by circle revenue officers across the country and members of various law enforcement agencies.
About 25 per cent of the VAT collected comes from cigarettes, bidi and tobacco products, according to an NBR press release.
Illegal domestic and foreign cigarettes of various brands, gul, jorda and similar tobacco products are being sold across the country.
In addition to harming public health, the reputation of the National Board of Revenue is being tarnished, it said.
The government is losing a huge amount of revenue, it added. Representatives of product manufacturing companies have also been included in the six-member committees.
In January, 52 operations were conducted. On the other hand, 107 operations were conducted from February 1 to 11. The number of operations is increasing every day.
Some 23 operations were conducted on February 10. On February 11, all the commissioners across the country conducted a total of 54 operations.
As a result of these operations, the amount of illegal cigarettes, bidi and tobacco products in the market have decreased, and demand for legal products with VAT paid is being created.
The National Board of Revenue believes that if this activity continues, the target in this sector will be achieved.
A large number of illegal cigarettes, bidis and tobacco products have been seized in the operations.
