KARACHI: The Ministry of Interior seems reluctant to issue a notification to specify the Pakistan Customs as the mainstream law enforcing agency.
The request to the Ministry of Interior was forwarded by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a couple of months ago, but no response has so far received from the ministry, notifying the Customs as the law enforcing agency.
According to sources, former Collector Preventive Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda had taken up the matter very seriously. However, the Ministry of Interior never replied positively in this regard.
While talking to Customs Today, Chief Collector Enforcement South Muhammad Zahid Khokhar said Customs all over the world is one of the main agency which enforces law at coastlines of the country.
“Presently, Pakistan Customs is enforcing the law and taking actions against smuggling cartels at West and South borders of the city. And, the FBR is in constant touch with the Ministry of Interior with regard to notifying the status of Customs as Law Enforcing Agency”, the chief collector added.
To a question, Chief Collector Zahid Khokhar said that after notification of Customs as law enforcing agency, the customs officers would be benefited in case they meet any untoward situation and loses their precious lives.
“In recent cases, two customs officials embraced martyrdom while discharging their duties in Hyderabad and in Balochistan, their families receive least compensation however they will get enough after notification of Customs as law enforcing agency besides other facilities”, Zahid Khokhar added.
