ISLAMABAD: Deputy Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I and I) Islamabad Khaldun Ul Haq has issued office orders to Quetta directorate to follow the strategies set by the Customs Department and focus on stopping the diesel smuggling.
Talking to Customs Today, the deputy director said that the Customs had devised special strategies to stop smuggling in the country, especially the smuggling of diesels from neighbouring countries i.e Iran and Afghanistan.
He said that the smuggling issues have been discussed during the meeting of deputy directors. Sources said that that smugglers have changed their techniques as they have started smuggling diesel in the small buckets loaded on camels and donkeys. But the customs has restricted smuggling of illegal Iranian products on the border, causing a big drop in terms of smuggled petrol. A number of vehicles loaded with Iranian petrol and diesel have also been impounded.
He said that the department is focusing on the smuggling routes with the help of law enforcement agencies.
He said that more than 3,487,059 liters of diesels worth Rs 248 million had been seized during 2014-15. While 433,800 liters of diesel worth Rs 25 million had been seized during the last two months of the current year.
The deputy director investigation said that meetings were also held with other law enforcement agencies to discuss strategies to overcome smuggling activities.
Due to a close liaison with other law enforcement agencies such as Maritime forces, Rangers and Anti-Narcotics Force, the smuggling activities are minimized.
Talking about the performance of Customs, he said that on September 14, at least 45,000 liters smuggled Iranian diesel and petrol worth Rs 8 million along-with three tankers were seized near super Highway Toll Plaza with the active support of Pakistan Rangers Sindh.
Customs authority has also decided to coordinate with traders for their support to curb the smuggling of goods, he added. The honest officers are deployed in the anti-smuggling department to curb smuggling, he said.
