BHIMBER: The promotion of Inland Revenue Department officer Chaudhry Azhar to Grade-18 has triggered controversy after reports emerged that preparations are underway to appoint him as Deputy Commissioner Excise Circle Mirpur.
According to reports, the officer previously served as Assistant Commissioner (AC) Excise Circle and allegedly remained at the centre of criticism over the operation of cigarette manufacturing units in Bhimber.
Sources claim that several illegal cigarette factories surfaced in the area during his tenure, allegedly causing financial losses worth millions of rupees to the state exchequer.
The reports further alleged that some closed cigarette manufacturing units resumed operations after the current government came to power, while no major action was taken against those involved.
Critics have also raised concerns over the proposed appointment, arguing that such decisions could negatively affect the government’s annual tax revenue target of Rs85 billion and damage the reputation of the department.
Officials, however, have not issued any formal response regarding the allegations or the expected posting.
