ISLAMABAD: Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) is conducting a robust survey to ascertain quantum of smuggling and to analyse its impact on national economy.
The survey being conducted by qualified experts would help chalk out effective strategy to control the menace.
Listing the steps being taken to curb smuggling at Pak-Afghan border, official sources on Monday said in a recent initiative, Pakistan Customs has chalked out a comprehensive anti-smuggling strategy, while available resources and manpower, although meagre, have been pooled up for optimum use.
In this regard, the sources said joint efforts including intelligence sharing and joint operations have been launched by Customs Collectorates and Directorate General or Intelligence and Investigation (Customs) with help of other law-enforcement agencies in settled areas and all main roads leading to down country are being closely monitored.
Pakistan Customs operates through notified Customs Stations along Pak-Afghan border with sole purpose of regulating trade i.e. imports and exports and safeguarding state revenue. It is an admitted fact that Customs has no physical presence on the international borders for control on smuggling which normally takes place through unfrequented routes manned by other law-enforcement agencies.
FBR, in view of above fact, has authorised officers of Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) including Political Administration in FATA, to exercise anti-smuggling powers.
The powers so entrusted to FC Balochistan were surrendered in 2014, on the request of the said LEA. That’s why it is difficult to ascertain exact volume of smuggling with absolute precision and a study to this effect is being undertaken by FBR.
The sources said as a result of heightened enforcement efforts by Pakistan Customs, a visible increase in seizure of smuggled goods has been registered.
