A Senate sub-committee chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro directed the Federal Investigation Agency to ensure FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and other tax officials provide written responses regarding the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from FBR warehouses in Swabi and Mardan, which is estimated to have resulted in a loss of Rs250 million. The sub-committee ordered that if these officials fail to appear by April 2, they should be arrested immediately. Senator Talha Mahmood urged that FBR officials be brought before the committee if necessary. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) told the sub-committee that estimated tax evasion in the tobacco sector is around Rs40 billion annually, while the government has publicly claimed the figure is $1 billion, or roughly Rs280 billion. FBR officials informed the sub-committee they were unaware of any nationwide campaign targeting tax evasion. According to profit.pakistantoday.com.pk, FBR officials said attempts had been made to contact Chairman Langrial but his mobile phone was switched off, and the sub-committee expressed dissatisfaction over his absence from meetings.