Dera Ghazi Khan Region Inspector Farzand Ali suspended for supporting smugglers
MULTAN: Most of Customs Intelligence and Investigation officials are too old to chase the smugglers, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Additional Director Nisar Ahmad told Customs Today on Saturday.
The Multan Customs Intelligence and Investigation has generated Rs 36.75 million in October.
The officials registered only 13 seizure cases in September. Four cases were registered in the adjourning areas of Multan Range Office; another four in Dera Ghazi Khan and five cases were registered in Sadiqabad region.
Six non-customs paid vehicles were seized in September. One, two and three vehicles were seized from Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Sadiqabad respectively. The vehicles included Toyota Crown Athlete, Toyota Vitz, Jimny Jeep, Honda Civic and Mazda truck. The total worth of seized vehicles was almost Rs 15 million.
The intelligence and investigation officials seized a huge quantity of Iran-origin plastic granules (plastic dana), different sizes and brands of India-origin tyres and Iran-origin diesel. The value of seized 1,500 plastic granule bags was almost Rs 9 million. The total weight of the bags was more than 36 tonnes.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Additional Director Nisar Ahmad said, “Our local manufacturers complained about the smuggling of plastic granules so we are trying to curb the smuggling. Smuggling of plastic has become a pain in the neck of our industry and damaged our local market production.”
Ahmed added that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation has contributed to the country’s economy by controlling smuggling and collecting customs duty.
Nisar emphasised that a border force should be formed to tackle smuggling in the future. The additional director also said a shortage of manpower was also a big hurdle in curbing smuggling in the area.
“Customs Intelligence and Investigation is facing acute shortage of staff. Most of the times smugglers slip away as we lack backup force at checkpoints,” he added.
“The department has almost cleared the main route of smuggling due to strict supervision but there was still room for improvement,” he said.
To a question about departmental corruption, he said, “We received evidence from our sources that some corrupt officials are assisting smugglers so we conducted comprehensive inquiry against them and suspended them. Further action will be taken against them.”
He said that Dera Ghazi Khan Region Inspector Farzand Ali was suspended for supporting smugglers. Nisar said, “We are setting examples that no one should try to involve himself in any corrupt practices and rewards are also offered to those individual did glowing for the appraisal of the department performance.”
