Report: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, reviewed issues relating to tax evasion, smuggling, the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from FBR warehouses and passport rules for overseas Pakistanis.
The committee examined a sub-committee report presented by Senator Saifullah Abro regarding alleged revenue losses in the tobacco sector and tax-exempt areas. Members questioned the handling of the cigarette theft case and expressed concern over accountability of senior officials. The FIA was directed to provide an update on the investigation. The 2,828-carton case has been under parliamentary scrutiny in previous meetings as well.
The committee also reviewed gaps in FBR warehouse management, including inventory records and security arrangements, and discussed coordination between the FIA and FBR in matters involving tax evasion and smuggling.
The committee decided to constitute a sub-committee for further examination of the tax-evasion issue and directed the FBR and FIA to submit comprehensive reports within one month.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry suggested that matters falling within the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction should also be referred to that forum, while Senator Jam Saifullah Khan called for the Finance Minister’s participation.
The committee also reviewed Rule 18 of the Passport Rules 2021 concerning Emergency Travel Documents for stranded or deported Pakistanis. Chairman Faisal Saleem Rehman raised concerns over delays in nationality verification and family-tree attestations and discussed complaints regarding short-term passports issued to Pakistanis abroad.
The committee further discussed the issuance of official passports, with the Minister of State for Interior assuring members that the matter would be addressed within one to two weeks.
