KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has initiated an effective onslaught against flight of foreign currency through passengers and has so far been successful in recovering a substantial amount during its operation, official sources said.
A customs official said that airport staff is ensuring the filing of the currency declaration form at departure. This is followed by a physical inspection in case of suspicion, the official said. Customs authorities intercepted two passengers during the last three days and recovered a huge amount of foreign currency from their possession.
Customs staff arrested a resident of Peshawar, who was going to Dubai. The staff recovered 276,850 Saudi Riyal and 27,000 (equivalent to $ 76,000 and Rs 8.1 million) which was concealed in his socks and jacket. The recoveries were made after thorough examination of baggage. In another case customs staff recovered 31,000 Saudi Riyal and 87,000 UAE Dirham (equivalent to $ 32,000 or Rs 3.4 million) from a passenger.
A hundred and fifty used mobile phones were also recovered. Customs officials said that the latest recovery was a continuation of the anti-smuggling drive launched by Federal Board of Revenue to deter illegal outflow of currency from Pakistan.
