The provincial tax/revenue officers have been empowered to seize smuggled/illicit cigarettes from shops in provinces.
Through an S.R.O. 1279(I)2025 issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday, the provincial tax/revenue officers can now exercise powers of the Inland Revenue.
According to the FBR, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of section 27 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, the following officers shall be authorized to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the officers of Inland Revenue under section 26 and sub-section (1) oi section 27 of the said Act. under the conditions as mentioned herein below, in respect of cigarettes in retail outlet, warehouses and motor vehicles on the roads:
- Deputy Commissioner,
- Additional Deputy Commissioner,
- Assistant Commissioner,
- Central Assistant Revenue, or any equivalent designation in any provincial hierarchy of the respective Revenue Departments.
This is subject to the condition that the Excise and Taxation Officer, the Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer, or any officer of Excise and Taxation not below BS-I6.
