FAISALABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Faisalabad, has successfully seized smuggled goods worth Rs 16.3 million during October 2016.
During an exclusive interview with Customs Today Collector Zulifikar Ali Chaudhary said that the ASO registered more than 17 seizure cases during various anti-smuggling activities in October-2016.
He said that Jhang, Mianwali, Sara-e-Muhajir, Sargodha falls under the jurisdiction of Faisalabad Customs. He said he is optimistic that Faisalabad Customs Collectorate will achieve its revenue collection target.
About smuggling activities Collector Zulfiqar said that Faisalabad Customs is taking every possible measure to curb smuggling activities in the region. The collector also hailed the performance of Anti Smuggling Organization and said that ASO teams showed outstanding performance during the first four months of current Fiscal Year 2015-16.
Replying to a question Collector Zulfiqar said that Federal board of Revenue strictly instructed to all customs collectorates to adopt zero tolerance policy against those who found involved in smuggling.
He said that during various smuggling operations ASO seized different items include non-duty paid vehicles, foreign origin cloth, cigarettes, diesel, mobil oil, Indian tea, tyres and tube, non duty paid cigarettes, gutka in all brand and others miscellaneous items.
Collector Zulifkar said items which are seized by ASO authorities impounded six vehicles which were being used in smuggling and transportation. The market value of impounded vehicles is Rs3.3 million.
Collector Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary said that due to strict checking of customs and ASO staff a marginable decrease is being witnessed in smuggling attempts.
He said that anti smuggling staff under the supervision of Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad and Deputy Collector Rizwan Khan, Rana Falik Shair, and Assistant Collector Idress Qureshi conducted various successful operation and thwarted smuggling attempts.
Collector Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary said that Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan Khan and his team comprising Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Inspectors Khalid Ashraf Noor, Ali Zahid, and Constables Liaquat Ali, Israr Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah are honestly and devotedly performing their duties. He said that customs and ASO staff established check points on various new locations of Faisalabad and foiled many attempts of smuggling.
He said that some of these check posts are established at Faisalabad Toll Plaza Sargodha Road, Gatwala Toll Plaza Sheikhupura Road, Jhang Road, Samundari Road, Jaranwala Road, Pansera Road, and others.
Collector Zulfiqar said that after seizing smuggling items customs team shifted all the articles to Customs Warehouse beside issuing legal notice to concerned parties.
He said that after Customs Adjudication proceedings if owner failed to provide any legal documents to prove the custody of these items then these items placed for open auction.
He said that Customs authorities are generating reasonable amount through auction of seized goods and vehicles. He said that Faisalabad ASO seized these items on the violation of Import and Export Control Act 1950 punishable under Section 156(1) 89(i) and 90 of the Customs Act, 1969 and forwarded the cases to Customs Adjudication for further legal action.
Collector Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary said that Customs Collectorate surpassed its revenue collection target assigned by FBR during first quarter of current Fiscal Year while he is optimistic that Collectorate will definitely achieve its yearly revenue collection target.
