Acting on the directives of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, officials of the Inland Revenue Department AJK have intensified operations against illegal cigarette manufacturing units across the region.
Sources told ProPakistani that the Inland Revenue Department’s Bhimber Circle recently conducted a raid on an illegal cigarette manufacturing unit located on Gujrat Road, Bhimber. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue Chaudhry Azhar Hussain, following a tip-off.
During the raid, authorities sealed the factory and confiscated a large quantity of non-duty-paid cigarettes of the Rider brand. Legal proceedings have been initiated against individuals allegedly involved in operating the network.
Sources further revealed that despite strict directives issued by Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, illegal cigarette units continue to operate covertly in several areas, particularly Barnala and Bhimber. This has raised serious concerns regarding enforcement effectiveness at lower administrative and political levels.
The Prime Minister has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal cigarette manufacturing, emphasizing that no such unit will be allowed to operate under any circumstances. However, informed sources allege that certain elements within political and bureaucratic structures may be facilitating these illegal operations, allowing them to continue in secrecy.
A few weeks earlier, Inland Revenue authorities uncovered another illegal cigarette unit operating under the cover of a cattle shed, highlighting the sophisticated and concealed nature of these networks.
Additionally, sources noted that in previous years, Section 144 had been imposed by district administrations during Eid holidays in districts such as Mirpur and Bhimber to restrict cigarette transportation and prevent smuggling outside Azad Kashmir.
However, sources claim that no such restrictions were enforced this year, raising further questions about administrative oversight.
While clear directives exist at the highest level, weak implementation and possible collusion at lower tiers remain major obstacles. They have urged the government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure accountability within relevant departments to dismantle the illegal cigarette trade effectively.
Tax authorities have reiterated their commitment to continuing operations against non-duty-paid and illegal cigarette production, warning that further raids are expected in the coming days.
