Regional Tax Office (RTO) Rawalpindi Thursday worked out a detailed strategy for combating illicit tobacco/cigarettes trade within its jurisdiction i.e. civil Districts Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock. According to sources, a major enforcement action at a renowned super store in Bahria town Rawalpindi resulted in recovery of huge stock of smuggled cigarettes by the regional office enforcement team of the said RTO.
Chief Commissioner RTO Rawalpindi has constituted one special squad and two enforcement teams which in co-ordination with each other shall ensure that movement, warehousing and sale of non-duty/taxes paid cigarettes is discouraged effectively. RTO Rawalpindi has decided to plug various loopholes in the existing tax enforcement regime.
Firstly, the enforcement team-Attock shall monitor the illegal entry/movement of locally manufactured (KPK based) cigarettes in Punjab.
Secondly, the Jhelum Enforcement Team shall focus movement of illicit cigarettes from AJK.
Thirdly, Special Squad Rawalpindi shall keep vigilant eye on both locally produced non tax paid cigarettes and the smuggled ones. This squad shall co-ordinate with enforcement teams for organised raids/interceptions. The squad shall perform intelligence function with the help of I&I-IR Peshawar and Islamabad so as to ensure an effective response to this tax evasion menace.
Since last two days Special squad has been visiting different business premises at Rawalpindi, especially the posh & known sale points of foreign smuggled cigarettes at Adyala Road, Lalkurti, Saddar, and Bahria Town. On Thursday, during the surprise visit of special squad quite substantial stock of smuggled cigarettes was located at a renowned super store in Bahria town.
Store management realizing the gravity of the case immediately complied with the instructions of the squad. Chairman FBR Dr Muhammad Irshad has appreciated the efforts of RTO Rawalpindi and conveyed special appreciation for the members of the squad.