SIALKOT: The Customs Anti Smuggling Organisation (ASO) seized Indian origin stitched garments with embroidery worth Rs 150,000 during an action near Kamoke Toll Plaza.
Reportedly, ASO Zone-I incharge Assistant Collector Fahad Bashir Chaudhary deputed Inspector Sheikh Ikram to check vehicles to curb smuggling. The said Inspector along with his team checked several vehicles and meanwhile the team intercepted a van which was going to Lahore from Mirpur (AJK) for checking.
The team asked the driver of van to show documents regarding the legal import of the garments into Pakistan but he remained failed; therefore, the officials confiscated the cloth under customs laws. The driver was released after proper interrogation.
Assistant Collecdtor Fahad Bashir said that the anti-smuggling staff was taking stern action against the smugglers in the region, adding that vigilance has been enhanced at Kashmir road to control an inflow of Indian origin smuggled items, which are bringing huge losses to the national economy.
Meanwhile, the Sialkot Customs conducted auction of seized and non-duty paid items on Thursday. The department successfully generated Rs 1.3 million through this auction.
Assistant Collector Choudhary Muhammad Hanif told Custom Today that Customs Auction Department offered different goods at Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT). He said that Assistant Babar Malik supervised the whole process of auction. Different parties also participated in the auction. The goods which were presented for auction includes curtain cloth, ladies cloth, generators, tyres, gate valves, electronics items, Japanese Honda heavy bike and two bicycles, etc. were auctioned for Rs 1.3 million.
He said that the vehicles will be auctioned after laboratory test and verification and clearance by the excise and taxation department and this process will be completed soon.
It is necessary to mention here that the customs department has geared up the process of auction to generate more revenue in order to meet the revenue targets set for current fiscal year.
