KARACHI: Chief Collector Enforcement-South Region Zahid Khokhar has said that smuggling of diesel is almost stopped, however, efforts are underway to ensure zero smuggling of diesel and others stuffs.
During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, the chief collector said that with continued action against smugglers, a strong message has been sent to them that the Pakistan Customs will never allow them to carry out their nefarious activities in the country.
“There is conducive atmosphere in the country and Pakistan Customs is getting full cooperation of the law enforcing agencies, including Maritime Security Agency, Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Coast Guards against the anti-social elements particularly the smugglers,” Khokhar said.
“However, the Customs seeks more cooperation in Sindh province and the department is in constant touch with Pakistan Rangers to bust the hideouts of facilitators and supporters of smugglers,” he said.
According to Chief Collector-Enforcement South, the Pakistan Customs has requested the Rangers to launch a major crackdown on smugglers and their facilitators who are hiding in the metropolis and its outskirts.
The Chief Collector-Enforcement South said that the Pakistan Customs had apprehended many smugglers who were trying to smuggle 369,180 liters diesel worth Rs 31.215 million.
Moreover, a huge quantity of contraband goods, including Charas, alcohol and gutka worth Rs 90.615 million; a huge quantity of black tea, cigarettes, cloths, electronic goods, mobile phones, tyres, cosmetics worth Rs 29.116 million; non-custom paid vehicles and wooden launches and 50 conveyances worth Rs 86.231 million have also been recovered and smugglers ar e arrested, Khokhar added.
In the recent past, the MCC-Preventive staff has also foiled a smuggling bid through a passenger bus and seized goods worth Rs 129.6 million, he concluded.
