Press Release

For Immediate Release

Khyber tobacco company Limited’s response to defamatory allegations

Islamabad, Pakistan – May 13, 2024 – Khyber Tobacco Company Limited (KTC), Pakistan’s leading and award-winning tobacco manufacturer company, is addressing recent baseless and defamatory allegations made in the “Pakistan Cigarette Market Assessment 2024” report by Ipsos Pakistan.

The report contains unfounded claims and damaging remarks about KTC’s business practices, which have been further propagated by various media outlets. These false allegations have caused significant harm to KTC’s reputation and business.

KTC categorically denies all accusations and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance. As a publicly listed company with a history spanning back to 1954, KTC operates with transparency, providing full access to its financial statements and audited reports. As one of Pakistan’s top national cigarette manufacturers, KTC employs over 400 individuals and was the country’s leading tobacco exporter in the fiscal year 2022-23. These contributions directly contradict the assertions made in the Ipsos report.

Furthermore, KTC was one of the earliest adopters of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) track and trace system, as verified by public records. The company has maintained full cooperation with all regulatory bodies, including the FBR, and has established a strong internal control framework to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

KTC’s manufacturing units are under continuous oversight by FBR officials, who monitor cigarette production on-site. The claim that KTC produces or sells “Duty-Non-Paid” cigarettes is entirely false and baseless. The defamatory nature of the Ipsos report has not only damaged KTC’s reputation but has also sparked a harmful media campaign against local cigarette manufacturers. KTC, known for its quality and regulatory adherence, has been unjustly targeted by these unsupported allegations.

In response, KTC has issued formal defamation notices to Ipsos Pakistan and its parent company in Paris, France. It has come to our attention that Ipsos Pakistan operates through a single-member company (SMC) called ASB Associates, without proper registration in Pakistan. Ipsos’ non-compliance with Pakistan’s legal framework is verifiable. Despite our repeated efforts to engage with Ipsos, access to their office has been obstructed, preventing further dialogue.

KTC urges the public and stakeholders to avoid forming opinions based solely on the unverified claims in the Ipsos report. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and regulatory compliance in all our operations. We deeply appreciate the continued support and trust of our valued customers and stakeholders.