ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad has said that the Customs Department is contributing significantly to overall tax collections. He stated this during a meeting with Collector Ahmed Raza Khan and other officers during his visit to Customs Collectorate Sialkot and Sambrial Dry Port Trust. The chairman said, “We believe that there is tax potential equal to Rs 7 trillion and our efforts are directed to explore all possibilities to realize this potential.”
Collector Ahmed Raza Khan briefed him about the performance of the Customs Sialkot. He also briefed the chairman regarding the anti-smuggling activities and told him that about shortage of staff. The chairman promised that very soon more staff comprising sepoys, inspectors and superintendents will be provided to the collectorate. The chairman listened to the problems of the officials of the Collectorate and Dry Port Trust and issued on the spot orders for their resolution.
Chairman expressed his complete satisfaction on the performance of the Collectorate and he lauded the work of the Customs Collectorate and especially appreciated the efforts of Collector Ahmed Raza Khan and his team for achieving the set goals by the Federal Board of Revenue.
Chairman FBR Dr. Muhammad Irshad has assured them that their other problems also will be resolved on priority bases. He said FBR is ready to resolve housing and logistic issues of the customs officers by removing bottlenecks in functioning of the department. An exclusive sector housing scheme would be developed for the customs department. He hoped that FBR Foundation will play key roll in solving the main problems of the employees of the FBR like housing, health and education of their children. Chairman FBR also visited Sialkot Air Port along with Collector Ahmed Raza Khan and appreciated the level of development of Sialkot Airport.
Collector Ahmed Raza said , it was indeed on honor to have Chairman, FBR with us at Sambrial. Chairman’s visit was though very brief but this visit stretching over two hours has captured so much in memories of not only the officers and staff of customs but also the related stakeholders such as office bearers of Sialkot Dry Port Trust and Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL).
