Senate Committee Investigates Fbr Cigarette Theft In Swabi

On February 24, 2026, a parliamentary committee intensified its scrutiny of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regarding the theft of 2,828 cartons of confiscated cigarettes, valued at approximately Rs250 million, from FBR warehouses in Swabi and Mardan. The committee, led by Senator Saifullah Abro, expressed significant dissatisfaction over the absence of FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and emphasized the necessity of his presence for a prompt resolution. It was revealed that the theft occurred in 2024, and while three lower-ranking employees were dismissed based on an internal inquiry, the committee raised concerns about the lack of accountability for higher-ranking officials, questioning how lower-tier staff could execute such a theft without oversight. Furthermore, the committee noted that critical documentation, including internal reports and security footage, had not been provided to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), raising serious concerns about transparency and cooperation (Dawn, February 24, 2026).