FAISALABAD: The dream of Model Customs Collectorate Faisalabad for its very own Customs Complex has not been materialised so far owing to scarcity of funds.
According to details, the Model Customs Collectorate Faisalabad had purchased a 15 kanal piece of land from the Punjab government for the construction of the complex on West-Canal Road, Chak-203/RB, Manawala.
The land was finally transferred to the Faisalabad Customs in 2008. In the very beginning, the boundary wall of the complex was constructed from the government-allocated funds.
Afterwards, the PC-1 was prepared for the construction of the officers’ colony and transit accommodation, and the proposal was sent to the higher authorities for allocation of funds.
In the proposal, the estimated cost for the construction of PC-I transit accommodation project is Rs 21.820 million, for the residential colony of category-II is Rs 46.902 million and Rs 30.78 million was estimated as the cost for the residential colony of category-III at Model Customs Collectorate Faisalabad Complex.
However, the funds have not been released so far, and the process of allocation of funds is underway.
On the other hand, M/S Interloop Private Limited Faisalabad put in personal efforts and managed to construct a cafeteria, gym, guard rooms and other facilities at the Customs Complex. Electricity connection has also been provided at the complex, while a board reading “Customs Complex” is affixed at the main gate of the complex. Now, the land is awaiting funds for further development.
It is pertinent to mention here that Customs Central Chief Collector Rozi Khan Burki had inaugurated the Customs Complex on February 20 this year.
With the provision of main facilities – like accommodation – at the complex, the collectorate will be able to significantly cut its expenses that are now being incurred on the officers’ accommodation.
