The Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, has taken up the matter of the alleged theft of 2,828 cartons of confiscated cigarettes, valued at approximately Rs250 million, from warehouses operated by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The issue was discussed in detail during a committee meeting, where officials were asked to explain how such a large quantity of seized goods could go missing from government custody.
According to officials, the cigarettes were originally seized in Swabi in January 2024 as part of an enforcement action. After the seizure, the goods were shifted to warehouses that reportedly lacked proper security arrangements, including the absence of CCTV surveillance systems. The missing stock was only discovered in May 2025, prompting the registration of an FIR and the involvement of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct a formal probe.
Following the initial findings, disciplinary action was taken against several officials. Three FBR officers were dismissed from service, while eight others were transferred. Authorities also introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) aimed at strengthening warehouse security and preventing similar incidents in the future. However, despite these measures, another incident of theft was reported in January 2026, raising further concerns about oversight, accountability, and internal controls within the department.
The matter has since escalated, with a High Court-ordered inquiry now underway to determine responsibility and assess systemic failures that may have enabled the repeated breaches. The committee has emphasized the need for transparency and strict enforcement of accountability to safeguard public assets and restore confidence in enforcement institutions.
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