Rs250m Cigarettes Allegedly Missing from FBR Warehouse in Swabi

ISLAMABAD: (Finance Reporter) – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case over the alleged disappearance of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) warehouses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the missing stock estimated to be worth around Rs250 million.

According to the FIR registered by the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle in Islamabad on September 21, 2026, the case involves alleged irregularities in the seizure, transportation, storage and subsequent management of confiscated cigarette consignments kept at FBR warehouses in Swabi and Mardan.

The case originated from an incident on February 14, 2024, when an FBR inspector identified in the FIR as Kamran intercepted six vehicles in Chhota Lahore, Swabi. The vehicles were allegedly carrying 1,262 cartons of Kisan-brand cigarettes.

Following the seizure, the consignment was transported to an FBR warehouse in Shahbaz Garhi, Mardan, according to the FIR.

The FIR states that on April 22, 2024, FBR inspectors Kamran and Naveed moved 1,202 cartons from the seized stock to the FBR warehouse at Qasim Pulla in Swabi. The cartons were transported in four Hino trucks.

However, when the consignment reached the Qasim Pulla warehouse, officials allegedly found only 908 cartons, leaving a substantial discrepancy in the recorded stock, according to the FIR.

The FIR further states that another 907 cartons of cigarettes were allegedly recovered from Daulatabad Mankai in Swabi on May 2, 2024, and subsequently brought to the same Qasim Pulla warehouse.

Although the recovered cartons and stock discrepancies were entered into official records, an inquiry later pointed to alleged shortcomings in the maintenance of stock registers and the overall management of the warehouses.

2,828 Cartons Reportedly Missing

The alleged shortage came to wider attention during an inspection of the Qasim Pulla warehouse on May 7, 2025. According to the FIR, FBR Inspector Shadmeen Khan found that 2,828 cartons of cigarettes were unaccounted for, including the 907 cartons referred to in the case.

The FIR alleges that the warehouses did not have proper stock registers or CCTV surveillance. It also claims that there was no adequate documentation tracking the movement of confiscated cigarettes between warehouses.

The investigation further found, according to the FIR, that no formal written procedure or clear instructions were in place for transferring seized stock from one warehouse to another.

The FIR also alleges that the shortage of 908 cartons detected on April 22, 2024, was not promptly reported to police authorities.

Paramount Company Connection

The investigation also brought the name of Paramount Company into the case, according to the FIR.

Paramount manager Owais Qureshi reportedly told investigators that cigarettes seized in connection with the company had allegedly been disowned on the instructions of FBR officials.

According to the FIR, the alleged arrangement was intended to avoid the seizure of the company’s machinery, which officials reportedly believed could have resulted in greater financial losses for the company than the confiscation of its cigarette stock.

The FIA investigation has allegedly identified five FBR officials and three individuals associated with Paramount Company whose roles are being examined.

Officials and Private Individuals Named

The FBR officials named in the FIR include Inspector Kamran, Inspector Naveed, driver Iftab Hussain, security guard Qazi Amjad and Naib Qasid Sajjad Ali.

The individuals associated with Paramount Company named in the FIR are directors Saqib Ali Khan and Fida, along with manager Owais Qureshi.

The FIR alleges that the officials, in alleged coordination with private individuals, failed to discharge their legal responsibilities, resulting in the alleged loss or misappropriation of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes valued at approximately Rs250 million.

The case has been registered under Sections 409 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2)(47) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, according to the FIR.

The investigation remains underway. The FIR states that the involvement of any other FBR officers, deputy commissioners or private persons will be determined if evidence emerges during the investigation.

The matter has also been examined by a Senate sub-committee. In April 2026, the committee directed the FIA to expand its probe and determine responsibility, while the FIA informed lawmakers that statements from 20 relevant officers and officials had been recorded.