DG says govt asked to make tough laws, enhance punishment to discourage smuggling
ISLAMABAD: Besides hitting hard on illegal trade and smuggling, the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation is striving for eliminating irregularities, smuggling and frauds in guise of safe transportation (ST) and transit permit (TP) and also reviewing all old procedures, in this regard.
This was stated by Customs Intelligence Director General Imtiaz Ahmad Khan in an exclusive interview with Customs Today, adding that fresh suggestions were being considered to draw an effective plan to curb smuggling and irregularities.
He said that tracking and scanning system for ST and TP will be enforced. He added that all customs officials have been issued strict directions that staff concerned will be considered responsible, if any misuse of ST and TP was found.
He has also directed all regional directorates to expedite the operation and take strict measures against illegal trade and smuggling, specially the smuggling of cigarettes, cell phones, black tea, Iranian diesel and petrol, cloth and money laundering through borders and roads.
The DG has also directed all regional heads to keep an eye on the performance of their subordinates.
During current fiscal year, the customs intelligence was putting more focus to curb the smuggling of cigarettes and cell phones, as compare to previous two or three years, he said.
DG Khan said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has asked the government to make more stricken the laws, punishments for discouraging the smuggling in the region, adding that directorates and collectorates will jointly combat smuggling.
He said “we are going to implement over new strategies to foil the smuggling of Iranian diesel and petrol into Pakistan and to bring it at the level of zero.” He added that vigilance was being enhanced to tighten noose on smugglers, besides intercepting the flow of smuggled goods in local markets.
Anti-smuggling staff will be trained on modern lines and equipped with latest weapon to battle with smugglers and smuggling, the DG said.
Besides, praising the FBR’s steps for recruiting staff through Federal Public Service Commission and National Testing Service, he said that new induction into FBR will not only improve the enforcement sections but also provide workforce to boost operations against smuggling and illegal trade.
