ISLAMABAD: Customs staff of Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) Islamabad needed access to FIA data for effective profiling mechanism to curtail baggage examination without compromising controls. Customs staff needed Body X-ray equipment for detecting body concealments and residential accommodation at BBIA airport for smooth 24/7 operations.
This was said by Neghma-e-Teheniat Deputy Collector BBIA Islamabad while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today. She said that only one scanner at arrival for checking of taxable goods/contrabands created congestion at the time of multiple flights.
She said at new airport scanners are being placed outside the conveyor belt in line with international best practices for five belts. Five scanners would be required at new airport. VHF radio communication system and web based CCTV coverage shall be required considering long distances within airport and increased volume of passengers.
The DC told Customs Today that during current financial year (FY16-17) the Customs staff disputed at BBIA seized 2247 numbers of mobile phones worth Rs.32.89 million while the Islamabad customs airport staff seized 2997 mobile phones worth Rs.63.20 million during same said period of corresponding FY15-16, adding that above-said seizures were intercepted from passengers’ baggage at the terminal.
Answering to a query, the DC airport said that the BBIA took major initiatives as it established Canine section for better performance and the BBIA established currency counter for online data feeding, adding that BBIA established effective monitoring of staff through online CCTV coverage.
She further told that the Model Customs Collectorate established body search counters at BBIA for detection of body concealments, adding that Collectorate also established 24/7 passenger facilitation desk at airport to provide best quality services to the passengers.
Responding to a query about comparison between collection and assigned target for FY2015-16 and FY2016-17, she answered that during FY 16-17 the Customs station BBIA collected revenue of Rs.17.27 million against assigned revenue collection target of Rs.15.47 million, adding that during said period the BBIA achieved 112% against assigned target.
She said that during the corresponding financial year 2015-16, the BBIA collected revenue of Rs.7.56 million against the assigned target of Rs.12.57 million, adding that because of new initiatives taken by Collector MCC Islamabad Dr Arslan the BBIA showed better performance during current financial year.
The Deputy Collector BBIA said that during FY16-17 the Customs staff deputed at airport seized foreign currency worth Rs 7 million while the BBIA staff seized foreign currency worth Rs.15.07 million during corresponding year of 2015-16 adding that during FY16-17 airport Customs staff seized 3.88 kilograms of heroin powder worth Rs.1.80 million. During corresponding year 2015-16 the airport customs seized 21.67 kilograms of heroin worth Rs.220.50 million.
The Deputy Collector told that during FY15-16 the BBIA staff seized 736.410 grams of gold worth Rs 3.10 million.
