Pakistan, Aug. 1 -- The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has authorised provincial revenue and excise officers - not below Grade 16 - to seize cigarette products found without valid or genuine tax stamps anywhere in the country.

The move comes under a new Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO 1279 of 2025), issued following the enactment of the Finance Act 2025. It grants broader enforcement powers to officers of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), as well as designated provincial officials, in an effort to crack down on the sale and distribution of untaxed tobacco products.

The SRO 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 exerci...