ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has decided to end the joint operations against smuggling with the cooperation of Model Customs Collectorates Preventive and limited the cooperation to information sharing only, it is learnt here.
The Customs Intelligence took this decision to split off from the customs collectorates following the shortage of staff in the directorates. When Rawalpindi Additional Director Muhammad Saleem was contacted seeking authenticity of the news, He informed that Customs Intelligence has a handful field staff that was lesser than the collectorates in quantity.
A joint operation against smuggling was launched on February 17, 206 in which the field staff of intelligence had to perform their duties round the clock, resulting in damaging the health of officials, he said.
He added that Customs Preventive has more field staff than intelligence, as only Islamabad Customs has about 60 field officials, while the Customs Intelligence was working with only 8 to 10 officials in same region.
On the other hand, the Customs Intelligence officials who have been conducted joint operation told that they have been working about 24 hours for many weeks that caused of severe health issues. They added that director general has been informed in this regard as they are unable to perform duties all the day.
After making consideration, the Customs Intelligence has reached this decision, as the joint operations were affecting the performance of the department, sources said.
