KARACHI: On the orders of Collector of Customs Quetta, Saeed Jadoon, Customs Quetta has started the second phase of operation against showrooms of non custom paid vehicles.
Raids were directed by Customs on different showrooms over the city. Customs was helped by FC, Police and Concerned Magistrate. The assaults were directed on showrooms in Jinnah Town, Shahbaz Town and Airport Road. A few Vehicles were seized and taken to Custom House Quetta for important activity. Meetings were held with Brig. of FC Sajjad, SSP Operations Nadeem Hussain and Home Secretary Dr. Akbar, and so forth.
The raids were led by DC Customs Preventive Amanullah Tareen. Major Asfandyar represented FC, Special Majistrate Arbab Inayat, police officers and Kambar Malik of Customs were also present during raids. The raiding party after conducting raids on showrooms visited Customs Check-post Yaro. Meanwhile a Non-duty paid vehicle was spotted, chased and eventually impounded in Saranan, Pishin. In light of the directives of Supreme Court and High Court of Balochistan, operations against showrooms dealing in Non-duty Paid vehicles shall continue in future as well.
It is worth-mentioning that raids such as these on showrooms by Customs are unprecedented in Balochistan. The writ of the state stands enforced thanks to these raids in otherwise troubled areas of Balochistan.
Customs earlier issued notices to these showrooms, before the crackdown was launched. The campaign against smuggled vehicles was started the influx of such vehicles surged and even these vehicles were used in terrorist activities.
In 2011, such campaign was started, but it had to be rolled back after encountering severe and violent resistance by the showroom owners. But, this time the cooperation of military enabled the success of this operation.