Tax evasion scandal investigation: Alleged ties of Senate subcommittee members with cigarette industry sparks concerns

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce has formed a three-member subcommittee to investigate tax evasion in the cigarette industry, with alleged connections of members with the industry mafia.

Sources said that the committee members include Senator Sarmad Ali, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, and Senator Zeeshan Khanzada.

As per the Senate Secretariat notification, “the sub-committee shall submit its report within 60 days starting from the date of first meeting of the sub-committee or after 15 days of issuance of this notification (whichever is earlier).”

However, the committee’s composition has raised eyebrows, with two of its members having ties to the cigarette industry.

Daily Ausaf learned that Senator Faisal Saleem and Senator Zeeshan Khanzada have family businesses associated with the cigarette industry, sparking concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Senator Faisal Saleem’s family owns several cigarette factories, including Millat Tobacco, Universal Tobacco, Markhor Tobacco, and Saleem Cigarette Industries.

As per details, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken several actions against the aforementioned cigarette factories.

The formation of the subcommittee has raised questions about the transparency of the National Assembly and Senate committees regarding cigarette tax policies in the past.

The questions were raised in the past about tax policy and the controversial role of the centers associated with the cigarette industry.

Sources said that the Senate committee platform is once again being used to protect the interests of the cigarette industry.