ISLAMABAD: The Model Customs Collectorate Quetta seized Iranian diesel worth Rs24.869million during the first four months (July to October) Financial Year 2017-18.
The vehicles, carrying smuggling diesel, are rarely intercepted in Hyderabad by the customs authority. Member Customs Zahid Khokhar, on the direction of Tariq Pasha, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has directed the Quetta Collectorate to take effective measures to arrest the smuggling of Iranian petroleum products with the cooperation and help of the customs intelligence and other law enforcement agencies.
According to details explained by sources that, in pursuance of the serious notice taken by Chairman FBR regarding the confiscation of smuggling Iranian petroleum products, the Collectorate of Quetta impounded 492,825 liters of diesel valued at Rs24.869million during four months of current Financial Year 2017-18. The Collector Quetta told CT that, during the same corresponding period FY16-17, the MCC Quetta seized 338,272 liters of smuggling Iranian diesel priced at Rs17.035million.
The Chairman FBR took serious notice of the smuggling of Iranian petroleum products including petrol and diesel via Quetta to Karachi and other parts of the country. In this regard, the chairman directed Member Customs Zahid Khokhar to take stern action against the suspects involved in smuggling of petroleum products.
The sources told that a mafia is involved in this crime and Iranian petroleum products are being smuggled with the support of some black sheep in the Customs Department and other law enforcement agencies. It is relevant to mention here that, due to the smuggling of Iranian petroleum products, local petroleum companies are complaining to the FBR that the business of companies is being affecting badly and it is also causing national treasury millions of rupees of revenue loss.
