Swabi Tobacco Industry Protests Deployment of FBR and Rangers at Factories

SWABI: The Swabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with leading tobacco entrepreneurs, has strongly condemned the deployment of Federal Board of Revenue officials, Rangers, and other law-enforcement agencies at green leaf units and tobacco factories in the district.

In a meeting chaired by chamber president Fazal Rahim Jadoon, attended by former presidents Sheraz Akram Bacha and Liaqat Ahmed Khan, as well as executive council members and industry representatives, participants expressed concern that the presence of law-enforcement officials during peak tobacco procurement season was disrupting business operations.

The chamber’s subcommittee on tobacco export and trade had already staged a protest last week against the government’s move. Industry representatives claimed the action unfairly targeted local exporters and small manufacturers while multinational companies remained unaffected.

“It is impossible to conduct business in such a tense environment. All green leaf threshing units pay their taxes regularly, yet we are being harassed,” said Mr Jadoon, noting that tobacco exports reached $167 million this year, significantly contributing to Pakistan’s economy.

The participants urged federal and provincial authorities to immediately intervene and create a business-friendly environment for the industry.

In a separate incident, a man was killed and two others were critically injured in a late-night firing in Razaar tehsil’s Ghulama village. Police said the victims, all from Parmuli village, were shot following a heated exchange. The injured were given first aid by Rescue 1122 and shifted to hospital, where 33-year-old Jahanzeb succumbed to his injuries. Police have registered an FIR against two suspects.