KARACHI: The violation of Section (3) of the Customs Act, 1969 is being continued in Customs Department of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) by the officials of Inland Revenue Services (IRS), it is learnt here.
According to details, the Federal Board of Revenue-FBR is deputing the officials of Inland Revenue Services (IRS) in Pakistan Customs Department which is a sheer violation of Section (3) of Customs Act, 1969.
Sources informed Customs Today that the Section (3) of the Customs Act, 1969 stated that the confer/vested powers according to the Customs laws can only be exercised and implemented by the Customs officers/officials. However; the FBR has recently transferred and posted the Inland Revenue Services (IRS) officials into Customs Department which on one hand, creating problems for the importers as those officials are not well aware of the Customs laws while on the other hand, it is a sheer violation of the Customs Act, 1969.
The sources further informed that the transfer and posting of IRS officials in Pakistan Customs Department on deputation is certainly affecting the working of the department as lack of technical knowledge in the IRS officials will create hindrances in the Customs affairs.
The sources further urged the FBR high-ups to recommend fresh recruitment in Customs Department to the federal government instead of transferring Inland Revenue Services (IRS) officials into the department.
The sources further said that the officials of IRS have particular mindset which may creates difficulties to the high-ups of field formation Collectorates as well as to the importers as thorough training and knowledge of technical rules and laws of Customs are needed to the officials of Inland Revenue Services (IRS) before posting in the Customs Department.
