ISLAMABAD: What initially appeared to be a major anti-smuggling operation has rapidly evolved into one of the most politically sensitive tobacco investigations in recent years, as the seizure of 25 million illicit cigarettes by the Motorway Police and Customs Enforcement has allegedly exposed links to influential political families and their tobacco businesses.
According to sources, acting on confidential intelligence provided by Customs Enforcement Islamabad, the Motorway Police intercepted and seized 11 trucks carrying approximately 25 million non-duty-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of Rs2.2 billion.
The operation, originally based on intelligence concerning only four trucks, expanded after law enforcement intensified surveillance and intercepted additional consignments.
Investigators believe the trucks were transporting illicit cigarettes from Swabi to major markets in Lahore, Multan, Sargodha, and other cities across Punjab. Sources said privately owned transport vehicles were allegedly used to move the consignments through the country.
The seized brands reportedly include Cafe, Chase, More One, Smoke Star, Black Eagle, and Dubai Lights. According to sources, these brands are allegedly linked to Asia Tobacco Company, J. Sons Tobacco Company, Smoke Star Tobacco Company, and Universal Tobacco Company. Sources further claim that Cafe and More One are registered trademarks of Universal Tobacco Company.
According to sources familiar with the inquiry, preliminary findings indicate that some of the seized brands may be connected to a prominent political family from Mardan.
Sources allege that Universal Tobacco Company is owned by former Member of the National Assembly Haji Naseem Rehman, who is both the uncle and father-in-law of Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, the current Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior.
Sources further allege that companies associated with Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman’s extended family, including Universal Tobacco Company, Markhor Tobacco Company, and Millat Tobacco Company, have previously faced enforcement actions over alleged tax evasion.
Sources further revealed that Universal Tobacco Group has huge investments in the illegal cigarette factories operating in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In the past, Wayward Tobacco Factory in Muzaffarabad, which is notorious for involvement in the production of counterfeit cigarettes, had business relationships with the Universal Tobacco Group. Sources further allege that Babar Taj, the owner of Wayward Tobacco, was previously arrested over allegations of financing the banned Awami Action Committee.
Sources claim that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has, on multiple occasions, initiated enforcement proceedings involving alleged tax evasion worth billions of rupees against tobacco companies associated with the political family. They further allege that several honest tax enforcement officers faced institutional pressure after pursuing these cases.
According to sources, former Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue, Faheem Rashid, previously led enforcement activities against tobacco companies allegedly owned by the families of Senator Dilawar Khan and Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman. His enforcement actions reportedly disrupted alleged tax evasion schemes involving billions of rupees.
Sources further allege that the platform of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and its special committee was subsequently used to orchestrate what they describe as fabricated proceedings against certain tax officers who had pursued high-profile enforcement cases.
Government sources maintain that, under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s ongoing nationwide crackdown on illicit cigarettes, tax evasion, and smuggling will continue without discrimination.
Authorities say the latest seizure reflects the government’s zero-tolerance policy against illegal tobacco trade, while Customs and other enforcement agencies are now examining the tax records, ownership trail, and distribution network behind the seized consignments.
