ISLAMABAD: The Customs Squad of the BBIA Islamabad becomes more efficient after getting two young lady inspectors along with the eight male inspectors to fill the gap of understaffing. The new inspectors are more hardworking and active than the old inspectors, correspondent of Customs Today learnt.
It was told by Ali Asad, Assistant Collector, Benazir Bhuto (BBIA) International Airport Islamabad, while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today.
He said it was a long needed requirement of the BBIA to get young and energetic inspectors for its most important places like departure hall, apron, rummaging area, arrivals lodge as well as at body search sites. The BBIA has been suffering an understaffing to run its four shifts 24/7 since long so inclusion of new inspectors in the strength of customs airport staff is a plus point for BBIA, Ali Asad quoted.
The Assistant Collector told CT that, after the seizure of diamonds at the Karachi Airport, the BBIA customs staff has began body search, especially of Dubai flights. Without body search, diamonds and drugs cases cannot be intercepted because notorious elements carry such contraband items by fastening them with their body.
He informed CT that Juddah, Riadh, UAE and Saudi bound flights are especially checked before boarding. One Inspector along with a dog and a dog handler perform rummaging of the airplan. Due to recent known history of the heroin cases at different airports, the vigilant customs staff of the BBIA also made rummaging of Burlingame and Manchester flights to prevent any drug smuggling. He added that the customs staff is more cautious against drug smuggling than other LEA.
Ali Asad said that, during December-January 2017-18, the BBIA customs staff seized a large quantity of liquor from passengers at the arrival lounge. He further said he has continued tight checking of the Islamabad airport. Due to averting any mishap at Apron, the Gamma Gate, Engineering Gate and Air Freight Unit Gates are checked by himself daily for one and a half hours. Sometimes, he pays surprise visits to the GOC (Ground Operation Control Room).
Ali Asad, Assistant Collector BBIA Islamabad, told the correspondent that, during first half (July to December) FY17-18, the AB (Accompanied Baggage) performed efficiently. The AB seized 15 different cases of smuggling goods including seizures of antiques, ice heroin, two cases of smuggling gold, currency and cell phones. The AB Section of the MCC Islamabad received a revenue of Rs17.00million during first half of FY17-18.
The AB Section is well operational because it showed very satisfactory performance during first half of FY17-18. The AB Section will demonstrate better performance during upcoming 3rd Quarter (January to March) FY17-18 under the supervision of newly appointed Ch Zulfiqar, Collector MCC Islamabad, who is an upright person, Assistant Collector BBIA concluded.
