ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Customs Deputy Collector at Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad has said that exports were being used for trade-base money laundering through which millions of dollars are transacted to foreign countries.
Talking to Customs Today, Jan said that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has also been informed about the new technique of money laundering, adding that customs has made strategies to counter the new trends of money laundering.
He said that the customs officials are performing their duties at airports and export zones while officials at the international mail offices have been warned of stern action if they found involved in smuggling. The officials were also directed to treat the native and foreign passengers in a good way that will develop soft image of Pakistan as well the Pakistan Customs.
Most of the common people who travel to other countries were not familiar with customs laws, Shahid Jan said, adding that officials have been urged to inform them politely about laws if any passenger was breached the law unconsciously.
He said that customs officials were required to perform their duties honestly to curb the smuggling. “If I hear about the clearance of illegal cell phones’ consignments from airport or arrest of smugglers those will be cleared from Islamabad airport, at international airports, the duty officers will be suspended or dismissed,” he said.
In order to arrest the smuggling of narcotics, the department has tightened the checking of luggage and passengers at airport, he said.
The deputy collector has also urged the passengers to contact directly to customs for clearance of their seized items, instead of taking help of clearing agents. He said to serve the public was our basic duty and negligence in this regard by officials will not be tolerated.
