The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has aggressively increased efforts to curb the smuggling of non-duty paid cigarettes to Pakistan especially during the Eid ul-Fitr holidays, sources revealed.
According to sources, elements involved in illegal cigarette trade have devised a plan to smuggle nom duty paid cigarettes from Mirpur and Bhimber into Pakistan by taking advantage of the Eid holidays.
Taking timely measures, the AJK government has enforced Section 144 from March 31 to April 2 to prevent any unlawful activities.
According to details Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Muhammad Ali Asghar, has taken proactive measures to ensure strict monitoring and counter cigarette smuggling during the holiday period from March 31 to April 02.
Enhanced surveillance and vigilance have been ordered at key points to handle illegal transportation if raw tobacco and tobacco products.
According to the excise officials, earlier the AJK Inland Revenue and Excise Department, with the assistance of local police, stipped an attempt to smuggle non-duty paid cigarettes worth millions of rupees from a well-known cigarette factory, National Tobacco Company, in Bhimber.
According to details , the Inland Revenue Department’s Excise Mobile Squad in Bhimber intercepted a suspicious Loader Ford Wagon (registration number J-4796). The raiding team found carrying 70 cartons of Kisan brand cigarettes from the vehicle without legal required documents. Upon initial investigation, the driver claimed that the consignment had been loaded from the National Tobacco Factory in Bhimber and was destined for Nowshera Virkan.
After investigation, authorities have legal action against the cigarette manufacturer and had also sealed the premises of tha factory.
After this authorities have also implemented section 144 to prevent smuggling of non duty paid cigarettes from Mirpur and Bhimber to Pakistan.
