The police raided many shops earlier this week as part of a crackdown ordered by the high-ups in the city against the sale of illegal cigarettes.
Some of the shops raided include Gulberg Juice Corner in the Main Market area and Billu Pan Shop in Liberty Market and smuggled cigarettes worth thousands of rupees were recovered from the two shops.
The cigarettes were being sold without the mandatory health warning. The seized packs were of multiple brands, including Pine, Hilite, Marlboro, Benson and Hedges, London and Esse.
The shop-owners were arrested and cases registered against them.
According to estimates, illegal trade in cigarettes has cost Pakistan more than Rs 80 billion over the last five years.
According to reports, these cigarettes are being smuggled from Afghanistan and do not comply with the local regulations.
Sale of these cigarettes offers a huge profit margin to the traders as these cigarettes are exempted from any tax.
A senior police official of the city said law enforcement efforts will be stepped up further and more raids will be conducted.