ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to establish new check points of customs and Inland Revenue departments in order to curb smuggling from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), it is learnt here.
Official sources told Customs Today, FBR has taken the decision during a meeting between Customs officials and Inland Revenue officials regarding smuggling from AJ&K. The meeting was also attended by Chief Collector North Ashad Jawwad Khawaja, Customs officials of RTO Sialkot, RTO Rawalpindi, Collector of Customs Sialkot and Collector Customs Islamabad Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary.
Sources added that it was agreed during the meeting that there shall be a close coordination between check posts of Customs and Inland Revenue through Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN). The customs would focus on areas having high risk to Indian goods and Inland Revenue would have the mandate to check non-duty paid cigarette manufactured by AJ&K illicit manufacturers.
According to sources, both the customs and IR departments have developed consent that it becomes vital for all the stakeholders in Pakistan and AJK to not only develop an understanding of the existing conditions involving illicit trade in cigarettes, but also take a consolidated and unanimous approach to play an effective role against this ever growing menace.
