PESHAWAR: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Additional Director Wajid Ali said that comprehensive training of customs staff is required on priority basis.
During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, he said that Pakistan Customs as whole but Customs I&I in particular is facing various issues including shortage of staff, adding that at present most of its staff especially superintendents are approaching their retirement age, so how this gap will be filled because no new hiring is under consideration.
He said that the directorate seized narcotics worth Rs52.6 million during first half of Fiscal Year 2018-19. Because of shortage of staff, other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) filled the gap by providing their services.
He said, “We appreciate efforts of the other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) which provide their expertise to fill the gap created by lack of customs staff”.
Replying a query, Wajid Ali said that I&I used to hold one auction in a month, adding that during first six months, the directorate conducted six public auctions and generated Rs96.6 million. He notified that I&I Peshawar will hold next auction on 24th January 2019 and hoped that the directorate will generate handsome revenue.
The Additional Director said that during July to December FY18-19, the I&I seized 78 offending vehicles (carrying smuggled goods) worth Rs169 million while it seized 44 non-duty paid (NDP) vehicles worth Rs79 million and seized smuggled goods worth Rs253 million.
He said that that during first six months of Fiscal Year 2018-19, the I&I Peshawar fetched total revenue of Rs502 million by seizing smuggled goods. Replying a question, he said that I&I seized huge quantity of chars, opium and heroin.
He told that during the said period, the Directorate seized 68 kilograms of chars worth Rs6.8 million, 14.25 kilograms opium worth Rs 1.8 million as well as seized 52.5 kilograms of heroin worth Rs44 million.
