KARACHI: Chief Collector-Enforcement South Muhammad Zahid Khokhar has decided to approach to the high-ups of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for fresh recruitment in Anti-Smuggling Organization of the Customs Collectorate Preventive, it is learnt here.
Sources informed Customs Today that the Chief Collector-Enforcement South has decided to write to the FBR in this regard in upcoming days.
The sources further disclosed this scribe that the working strength (manpower) in Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) of Customs Preventive is being decreased with every passing day, as there was no new recruitment in the department for last 27 years, as last batch of Preventive Officers (POs) was recruited in the year 1989 and after that there was no new recruitment in ASO was being witnessed.
The sources further said that there was 600 total strength of Preventive Officers, and now it has been reduced by only 300, as half of the Preventive Officers have been retired from the customs services and remaining 300 would have been retired in next five years.
The sources further hinted that the anti-smuggling operations of Pakistan Customs may suffer badly due to the shortage of experienced and talented Preventive Officers at sea and land routes, if timely recruitment could not be made in ASO.
The Chief Collector-Enforcement South was also discussed the shortage of manpower and latest equipment in ASO along with the Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Khalid and the Collector was also briefed the chief collector that the situation is being deteriorated with passage of time.
It may be mentioned here that the former Chief Collectors-Enforcement South Yahya Muhammad and Nazim Saleem were also taken the said matter before the FBR high authorities.
