MULTAN: Central Chairman Anjuman-e-Tajiran Pakistan Khawaja Suleman Siddiqui lauded notice of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) against smuggled goods which were being sold openly in the local markets.
While talking with Customs Today, he stated that smuggling of goods and vehicles from Iran, Afghanistan and other countries came into jurisdiction without any trouble due to negligence and weak enforcement of Multan Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization and Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation. Different markets of South Punjab observe thronging of a large number of customers from different places as huge quantities of foreign origin goods are openly sold out.
He said the smuggled items are brought in the South Punjab with assistance of organized gang of smugglers through Dera Ghazi Khan Region and Sadiqabad area route but Customs failed to stop them and they took action against small shopkeepers.
He said that customs knew that alleged several residents of the bordering areas and locals are also involved in transportation of smuggled vehicles and goods in jurisdiction of Multan Customs which has damaged local manufacturers and business community due to their illegal businesses.
Smuggled goods have huge demand in local markets as they purchase foreign goods on reasonable price which is several times less than local markets.
It is worthy to mention here that the chief justice took notice on a complaint accompanied by an appeal published in Customs Today about Rs 1000 billion mega scam of green channel illegal clearances.
Customs Today has been reporting on abuse of green channel since past many years. Mega brands like Mobilink and QMobile were reported to be grossly abusing Green Channel facility with connivance of Customs staff. Customs Today exposed mega smuggling scam of Digicom Company (Q-Mobile) as the company cleared more than 750 containers through green channel.
Customs Today also published investigative reports about changing of strategies by green channel smugglers as they started clearing illegal goods through yellow channel & TP.
Everything is available in the markets of South Punjab from cut-price electronics to clothes, auto parts, machinery and other huge variety of goods. Those who are supplying smuggled goods they can deliver at your destination but law enforcement agencies failed to curb smuggling in the region due to their weak enforcement and poor strategies.
He further said that smuggling is an enormous trade countrywide that costs Pakistan millions of dollars annually in lost revenue and few corrupt officials of customs generate bribes that allow markets to flourish and also encourage smuggling in the region.
He said that illegal trade resumed in full swing in the country and when Federal Board of Revenue received any directions from government or judiciary they initiate short-term actions against few innocent small businessman to satisfy their high-ups.
He said that it is ideal time to break the chain of smuggling in the country and hoped that strict action will be taken against smugglers and smuggled goods in the country especially of South Punjab to curb smuggling from the region.
He suggested Customs department to depute honest officials to launch crackdown on smuggled goods being sold in the local markets and government should intimate every shopkeeper to avoid selling smuggled goods for the sake of national economy.
