Govt officials get powers to seize cigarettes without FBR stamps or with fake stamps

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has granted powers to officers of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), Provincial Revenue and Excise not below the rank of 16 Grade, for seizure of cigarettes without valid stamps or fake stamps from all over the country.

In the aftermath of Finance Act 2025, the FBR has issued Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 1279 (2O25), which states that in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of section 27 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, the following officers would be authorised to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the officers of Inland Revenue under section 26 and sub-section (1) of section 27 of the said Act under the conditions as mentioned herein below, in respect of cigarettes in retail outlet, warehouses and motor vehicles on the roads, namely:

(A) Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, General Assistant Revenue, or any equivalent designation in any provincial hierarchy of respective Revenue Departments; and (B) Excise and Taxation Officer, Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer, or any officer of Excise and Taxation not below BS-16.