MULTAN: Collectorate of Customs Preventive has showed remarkable results under the leadership of Collector Customs Muhammad Saleem by seizing goods worth almost Rs.1592 million at the end of 2nd Quarter (July to December) in FY 2019-20.
At the end of 2nd Quarter (Q2) in FY 2019-20, the Collectorate has seized goods worth Rs 1592 million as compared to Rs 837 million worth of goods seized corresponding year during the same period. Multan Customs recorded 91 percent growth in detecting seizure values this year than corresponding year. Moreover, as against assigned target of Rs 1332 million the Collectorate made seizures of Rs 1592 million which is 20 percent higher than the target assigned by the Federal Board of Revenue. It was stated by Collector Muhammad Saleem while talking to Customs Today in his office.
Collector Muhammad Saleem took effective administrative measures by re-organizing the field formation in six new anti-smuggling divisions after joining Customs Preventive Multan. Each division is headed by assistant collectors and deputy collectors and specific targets were assigned to each ASO Division.
Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization is pursuing rigorous anti-smuggling campaign in the territory. Additional Collector Syed Ali Abbas Gardezi is looking after the anti-smuggling campaign. In addition the staff was deployed at the strategic locations and choke points. The progress and movement of squads were closely monitored to prevent any smuggling attempt. Apart from seizing the smuggled goods passing through the territory of the Collectorate, raids were also carried out on godowns stored with smuggled food grains, dry fruits and LEDs in Faisalabad and huge quantity of smuggled goods were recovered from these locations. Further, on specific information items like smuggled Heavy Load Cranes were also seized.
Customs Preventive staff at Multan International Airport also foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign currency UAE Dirham 117,355 (US $31,000) out of country from a passenger travelling to UAE in December. The passenger along with currency was taken into custody and FIR was lodged.
Precisely, the Collectorate impounded 92 non duty paid (NDP) vehicles worth Rs 249.5 million, miscellaneous merchandise worth Rs 639.34 million, vehicles carrying smuggled goods worth Rs 336 million, cloths worth Rs122.9 million, tyres worth Rs 54 million and diesel worth Rs 39 million.
All this was made possible due to effective strategy and strategic placement of staff on merits keeping in view of the on ground requirements and cultivation of an efficient network of informers. The aggressive and focused anti-smuggling drive has caused a great setback to the smugglers as is evident from the quantum of seized goods and their values, when compared with previous years.
New transit framework with Iran to position Pakistan as regional trade hub: ICCI
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), has warmly welcomed the federal government’s recent decision to facilitate the transit...
