ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has sealed over 1,600 petrol pumps across the country in its drive against smuggled petroleum products.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in its performance report for the fiscal year 2021/2022 stated that Customs authorities initiated country wide operations against illegal POL outlets during the fiscal year.
FBR said that during the operation Customs sealed more than 1600 illegal outlets with criminal proceedings against owners. This initiative helped increase in legitimate imports of POL products.
It said Pakistan Customs is the guardian of Pakistan borders against movement of contra band goods and is facilitator of bona fide trade.
Customs provides a major source of revenue to the Government of Pakistan in the form of taxes levied on the goods traded across the borders. It also helps to protect the domestic industry, discourage consumptions of luxury goods and stimulate development in the under-developed areas.
Following initiatives taken by the Customs Administration during the TY 2022:
First Ever Counter Smuggling Policy Laid out which is an excellent example of interagency co-operation.
Highest Ever Counter Smuggling Seizures made (FY 2021-22: Rs. 66 billion).
Countrywide Operation against Illegal POL outlets (sealing of more than 1600 illegal outlets with criminal proceedings against owners), through which, legitimate imports of POL products saw sharp surge as compared to previous financial year.
Opening Pakistan to Central Asian Republics through simplification of Transit Procedures and Automated Clearance. Pak-Uzbekistan Transit Agreement has been finalized and deliberations have been started.
Ease of Doing Business Indicators improved by 28 percent from 136 to 108 in 2021, which is an “unprecedented improvement” resulting into efficient Cross Border Trade.
Pakistan Single Window Act, 2021 enacted and its rules notified and expected to be roll-out in the coming months.
WeBOC has now been implemented at all sea-ports, dry-ports and land border stations.
Online Payments have been introduced for the traders wherein levy-able duty and taxes on import of goods are paid online through digital banking.
Risk Management System is part of WeBOC clearance which is continuously upgraded from time to time.
Automated Duty Drawback Payment System: In order to facilitate the exporters, the manual rebate approval system has been replaced with RMS based, fully automated / system-based processing of duty drawback payment without involving any human intervention. Under the automated system, the exports Good Declaration is termed as Rebate request.
Administrative Measures like auctions, recoveries, valuations etc have resulted in generation of Rs. 25 billion in FY 2021-22.
