Karachi.A meeting presided over by Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hassan Naqvi, decided to take priority measures to curb the illicit sale of smuggled and illegal cigarettes. The meeting was attended by all Deputy Commissioners, Additional Commissioner-I Ghulam Mehdi Shah, officers from the Customs Department and Anti-Narcotics Force, representatives of Pakistan Tobacco and Philip Morris, and others.
The meeting was informed that the country is facing significant tax losses due to the illicit sale of cigarettes. It was decided that the Karachi administration would play its role in curbing the sale of illegal cigarettes in the city and help ensure effective implementation of relevant laws in this regard. It was decided that Deputy Commissioners would work in close coordination with the Customs Department and Anti-Narcotics Force.
The Commissioner said that illegal cigarette sales are leading to tax evasion and health issues in the country, and coordinated efforts are needed to curb it. He said that the Karachi administration would cooperate in these efforts.