MULTAN: Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Multan has continued its aggressive crackdown on smuggling across South Punjab, including Multan, as part of its efforts to curb illicit trade. During the fiscal year 2023-24, the enforcement teams seized non-customs paid vehicles, mobile phones, foreign cloth, and a wide array of smuggled goods worth billions of rupees.
According to official sources, these anti-smuggling operations were conducted under the supervision of Collector Customs Enforcement Multan, Syed Imran Sajjad Bukhari, and Additional Collector Shah Faisal, with Deputy Collector Maryam Jameela spearheading the raids. These anti-smuggling operations led to the confiscation of smuggled goods valued at Rs 1.49 billion, representing a 68% increase compared to the previous fiscal year’s seizures, which amounted to Rs 893.95 million.
The seized items included 109 non-customs paid vehicles, a significant quantity of mobile phones, electronics, auto spare parts, foreign cigarettes, tires, food items, nuts, bolts, and other miscellaneous goods. Despite limited resources, Multan Customs Enforcement has remained proactive in combating the scourge of smuggling, which poses a serious threat to the national economy.
Collector Syed Imran Sajjad Bukhari emphasized that the customs department is committed to eradicating smuggling and has been consistently taking measures to ensure that society is free from this illegal activity. The operations were conducted across various regions, including Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalpur, where the customs enforcement teams seized smuggled goods valued at Rs 1.49 billion over the course of the year.
The Collector further reiterated that actions against smugglers will be intensified in the coming months to further strengthen the crackdown. This comprehensive strategy aims to not only halt the smuggling of goods but also to protect the local industries and the broader economy from the detrimental effects of illegal trade.
