KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs, Preventive Karachi, will receive two patrolling boats within a few months that would help further enhance monitoring and enforcement activities in its territorial waters, said Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo.
In an exclusive interview with Customs Today, the collector said that the patrolling boats would cost Rs 290 million and the boats would be delivered in a few months. Karachi Shipyard Engineering Works will deliver the boats to the customs.
The Collector Preventive invited bids in the recent past in which the Karachi Shipyard Engineering Works had been qualified and hence the tender was awarded to it.
“The plan to procure patrolling boats was initiated last year, but it could not be materialized due to some technical issues and the lapse of funds. However, this time, the plan would get on as the boats would be handed over to us within six months,” Collector Junejo added.
In the present scenario, smugglers are using sea routes to smuggle Iranian diesel and contraband items, he said, adding that the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has been maintaining a vigil and all the bids have been foiled.
With the inclusion of the state-of-the-art boats in Pakistan Customs, the performance of the ASO against criminal elements would be further improved from Jeewani to Sir Creek coasts, Dr Saifuddin Junejo said.
Furthermore, the collector added that the Customs Preventive has also awarded another contract to a multinational firm regarding installation of latest/modern scanners at the airport.
Initially, the scanners will be installed at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi while some will be installed at Customs Baggage Stations so as to further enhance the performance of the customs.
“In May 2017, the Collectorate of Customs Preventive had invited application from the bidders under International Competitive under PPRA Rules 2004 and the multinational firm based in United States of America (USA) qualified and the scanners would be installed in few months”, Collector Preventive added.
