ISLAMABAD: The authorities, as part of their measures to control smuggling of animals and other items, have seized such things and articles worth Rs. 44.207 billion during last three years and three months.
As regards smuggling of live animals, Pakistan Customs took various steps including enhanced vigilance on smuggling prone routes, closer coordination with other LEAs, and effective use of various Customs Check Posts.
This resulted in seizures by Model Collectorate of Customs, Quetta, of 978 animals of Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value amounting to Rs.21.483 million during 2016-17 and 431 animals of CIF value amounting to Rs.14.064 million during this year. In case of other items, a visible increase in seizures of smuggled goods can be observed, due to heightened enforcement efforts made by Pakistan Customs.
The year-wise statistics about seizure of smuggled items have revealed that during year 2014-15, the goods worth Rs. 9.582 were seized, during 2015-16 the worth of seized items was Rs. 14.343 billion,n Rs. 15.652 billion during 2016-17 and during July to October, 2017 the worth of seized smuggled goods was Rs. 4.63 billion.
The data issued by Finance and Revenue Division on Tuesday showed that task of preventing smuggling from neighboring countries is challenging due to long porous Iran borders, mountainous terrain, tribal society as well as volatile law and order situation in the region.
Apart from a few designated Customs Stations/posts, the Customs department has no physical presence on international borders for preventing smuggling of animals and other items through unfrequented routes which are being manned by other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). That is why the Federal Board of Revenue has authorized officers of Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps Khyber Paktunkhwa including Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to exercise anti-smuggling powers under section 6 of Customs Act, 1969 within 20 kms of international borders.
Likewise, Pakistan Coast Guards and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency are empowered to exercise anti-smuggling powers along the coastline and in high seas.
