Senate body slams linking members to seizure of smuggled cigarettes

ISLAMABAD: The subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control on Monday strongly condemned what it called a “malicious media campaign” targeting its members following the seizure of 11 trucks allegedly loaded with smuggled cigarettes on the motorway. The meeting, convened by Senator Saifullah Abro at Parliament House, was mandated to scrutinise border security mechanisms, smuggling networks, anti-narcotics controls, and tax evasion, including an estimated $1 billion attributed to the tobacco sector. The convener of the committee noted that after the July 20 meeting discussed the truck seizure, an official press release and handout were circulated the next…