The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case over the alleged disappearance of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes worth around Rs. 250 million from Federal Board of Revenue warehouses in Swabi.
According to the FIA’s first information report, five FBR officials and three office bearers of Paramount Company have been nominated in the case over alleged misappropriation, embezzlement, misconduct and connivance involving the missing cigarette stock.
The nominated individuals include FBR officials Kamran, Naveed, Intasab Hussain, Qazi Amjad and Sajjad Ali, along with Paramount representatives Saqib Ali Khan, Fida and Awais Qureshi. The FIA said the investigation could establish the roles of other individuals.
Cigarette Stock Seized in Swabi
The case dates back to February 14, 2024, when FBR Inspector Kamran intercepted six vehicles carrying 1,262 cartons of Kissan brand cigarettes at Chota Lahore in Swabi.
The cigarettes were confiscated and transferred to an FBR warehouse in Shahbaz Ghari, Mardan.
The FIA report said that on April 22, 2024, FBR officials Kamran and Naveed shifted 1,202 cartons from the detained stock to the FBR warehouse at Qasim Pulla, Swabi, using four trucks.
A later inspection found 908 cartons missing. Another 907 cartons were reportedly recovered from Doulatabad Mankai in Swabi on May 2, 2024. However, the FIA said the recovered stock was not entered into the warehouse stock register.
FIA Finds Warehouse Management Gaps
During an inspection of the Qasim Pulla warehouse on May 7, 2025, officials found that 2,828 cartons, including the 907 recovered cartons, were missing.
The investigation also pointed to several alleged weaknesses in warehouse management. These included the absence of official logbooks, stock registers, CCTV cameras, handling procedures and written instructions for transferring stock between warehouses.
The FIA said such shortcomings raised questions about the handling, movement and monitoring of the confiscated cigarettes.
Roles of Other Officials Under Investigation
The agency said the involvement of other FBR officials, including deputy commissioners, would be examined during the investigation.
The role of any private individuals linked to the alleged disappearance will also be determined as investigators review the record and gather further evidence.
The case has been registered under Sections 409 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
The FIA said the investigation would establish the responsibility of the nominated individuals and identify any other persons connected with the alleged loss of cigarette stock.
