Since January 1, 2025, Pakistan has intensified its efforts to combat the illegal cigarette trade, carrying out 50 enforcement actions nationwide. In major cities, authorities have confiscated smuggled cigarettes worth over Rs. 400 million and shut down five illegal cigarette factories in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additionally, more than 50 million smuggled cigarettes have been destroyed, and illegal goods valued at over Rs. 5 billion have been seized.
Despite these significant steps, the illegal cigarette trade continues to dominate the market. A February 2025 study by the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR) revealed that 56% of cigarette sales in Pakistan are still illegal. Out of the 413 cigarette brands available in the country, 381 are being sold without the government-mandated Track & Trace System stamps, enabling widespread tax evasion.
The government’s crackdown has made progress, but the fight is far from over. Authorities must sustain and strengthen their efforts to completely eliminate illegal traders and ensure a fair and regulated market. The battle against the illegal cigarette trade is critical for the country’s economy and public health, and it must not stop until the issue is fully resolved.
Also read: Battagram Police arrests two suspects possessing illegal weapons
