The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has intensified its investigation into alleged tax evasion involving goods worth around Rs. 1.12 trillion imported under tax exemptions meant for former FATA and PATA areas.

Sources said 108 companies allegedly imported the goods using the exemptions but later moved the consignments to other parts of Pakistan, including Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

The investigation found that the goods included cooking oil and ghee worth Rs. 371 billion, steel worth Rs. 214 billion, textile products worth Rs. 174 billion and tea worth Rs. 65 billion.

According to investigators, the companies allegedly used the tribal-area exemptions to avoid taxes before supplying the imported goods to markets outside the designated regions.

The FIA has collected documents related to the imports and recorded statements from more than 60 companies.

Sources said fresh notices will be issued to 48 companies as the investigation moves forward.

The probe is focused on the alleged misuse of tax exemptions and the diversion of imported goods to other parts of the country.