BHIMBER (Kashmir English): A fake cigarette factory operating under the signboard of a dairy farm was busted in Barnala Tehsil, district Bhimber in Azad Kashmir.
The Inland Revenue department took action and sealed the fake factory. Under the special directives and secret intelligence from Chairman Inland Revenue Chaudhry Abdul Rehman and Commissioner Inland Revenue South Zone Ansar Ali, a raid was conducted on the illegal cigarette factory in Bania Khurd, Barnala Tehsil, Bhimber District. Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue Circle Bhimber Chaudhry Azhar Hussain, accompanied by the Excise Squad conducted the raid.
Cigarettes were being produced without label
In the fake factory, cigarettes were being produced without registration. On-site, one cigarette making machine, one packing machine, and a cellophane machine were found. Three trays of cigarette, which were produced without labels or brands, were seized while 10 labourers were present in the factory.
The Inland Revenue Department and the Excise Department immediately sealed the factory, and legal proceedings have been initiated against the factory owners.
The main gate of the factory had a signboard for Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Dairy Farm. As per the directives of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Inland Revenue, action against non-duty paid and illegal cigarettes will continue.
It is worth noting that previously, former Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq also attempted to stop the fake cigarette business, and action was taken against a factory in Muzaffarabad, but he failed to curb this mafia.
