SIALKOT: The Federal Ministry of Finance has finally approved a mega plan to construct a Model Customs Collectorate on five acres of land along the River Chenab Toll Plaza at Wazirabad.
Assistant Collector Chaudhary Mohammad Hanif told Customs Today that Rs 5 billion would be spent on the construction of the new Model Customs Collectorate at Wazirabad. He said that the revenue department sent a summary to assistant commissioner of Wazirabad to acquire land whereas the assistant commissioner has finalized the summary.
He told the Federal Ministry of Finance has also released funds to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for the construction of a warehouse, judicial complex, barracks and offices for the senior officials and junior staff.
He revealed that Customs Collectorate would be responsible to thoroughly check all the luggage and consignments reaching at River Chenab Toll Plaza from Afghanistan via Peshawar and Rawalpindi, besides, taking rapid legal action against smuggling. On the other hand, customs officials were of the view that that after construction of customs directorate, they will be able to seize smuggled vehicles which usually avoided from main GT road by their owners in vicinity of Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and Gujranwala districts.
Assistant Collector said that all process is completed and Ministry of Finance has released funds to FBR but the funds are not reasonable and FBR has demanded more funds for construction of Customs Collectorate.He said the Ministry of Finance has considering to release more funds after which the construction process would be started.
