SIALKOT: Customs Collectorate, Sialkot has made a plan to set up two posts of Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) at Pindi Bhattian (Hafizabad) and Chenab River (Gujrat).
Customs officials told Customs Today that the Customs Collectorate has showed best performance to curb smuggling and observed good results during anti-smuggling campaign which was started by the Federal Board Revenue (FBR). Officials said that the smugglers use the Chenab River to smuggle various Indian items under Kashmir Transit Trade and the they find it comfortable to smuggle items through Chenab River near Gujrat. Smugglers also use Pindi Bhattian route which is tehsil of Hafizabad District to smuggle items under the guise of Kashmir Transit Trade.
Sources told that the Customs Collectorate feel need of two posts set up on said area to curb smuggling and has completed the documentation to set up said posts while the has summary sent to FBR for this purpose. Sources said that that the management has got permission from District administration of Sialkot, Gujrat and Hafizabad to set up the posts of ASO. Sources told that the Customs department is take action against smugglers with limited sources and shortage of staff. FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan has appreciated the performance of ASO, Sialkot. Sources told that the MCC Sialkot is also planning to set up ASO posts at Head Marala and Narowal to curb smuggling while MCC Sialkot management will finalize these posts after review and checking of area soon.
