ISLAMABAD. Smuggling of contraband items via Motorway is a serious issue which is affecting the state, business community and the society adversely. The Motorway and Highway Police are not cooperating with the Customs Department even when Customs Department wants to intercept some secret information based vehicles carrying smuggled goods on the Motorway or Highway.
According to details given by sources that, after the imposition of Regulatory Duty (RD) to discourage imports, the possibility of smuggling goods via Motorway and Highway will increase. Sources added that the estimated loss to the national exchequer due to smuggling on Motorway and GT Road is almost Rs1.00 to Rs2.00billion per month.
Most of the smugglers are Afghan nationals who possess fake Pakistani CNICs which is also a security threat to the country besides the smuggling.
The sources told CT that the volume of smuggling may increase with the recent imposition of RD vide SRO 1035 (i) 2017. Sources added that the said huge loss to the economy can be reduced through effective coordination among the National Highway, Motorway Police and Pakistan Customs as Highway and Motorway police enjoy the presence on the Motorway and GT Road.
Regarding the fact of the matter, the sources stated that the Pakistan Customs is facing hardship in curtailing smuggling through Motorway and Highway as police do not allow the Customs Department to conduct any anti-smuggling activities under Section 48(2) of the National Highway Safety Ordinance 2000.
Sources told CT that, according to the amended Customs Act-1969, Section 07 amended in Financial Year 2017-18, the National Highway and Motorway Police are bound to assist the officers of the customs to perform their functions. Sources added that the Customs Department has been facing hurdles in the past in discharging the required duties under the jurisdictions of the Motorway and Highway Department. But due to amendments in the said section, now anti-smuggling activity could be continued without any hurdle on the Motorway and Highway.
