ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue is likely to allow Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) inspection of inbound cargo containers at dry and sea ports to check drugs smuggling.
Modalities in this regard are likely to be finalised in an important meeting between both the executing agencies scheduled to be held next week.
Reliable sources told Customs Today that the ANF has sought the FBR permission for inspection of inbound containers to check narcotics smuggling. It is to be noted that though the outflow of drugs from Pakistan to other countries has been preempted aptly, the ANF is particularly worried about the inflow of sophisticated sorts of drugs.
It has been customary at dry and sea ports that FBR and Customs officers never let the ANF officials to check the cargo containers bound for the country which, sometime, provide unscrupulous elements with the opportunity to bring in modern sorts of drugs to the country.
According to sources, the ANF DG and the force Rawalpindi Commander held a verbal discussion with FBR Chief (Customs Tariff) Zulqar Kazmi on the issue and both sides agreed to extend the scope for cooperation in this regard.
Kazmi told the ANF team that the issue would be further sorted out in a meeting after the availability of FBR Member Customs Nisar Muhammad Khan in his office at FBR Headquarters probably by September 17.
The sources said that the FBR ‘appeared’ supportive of the ANF idea on the issue with the hope that it would be helpful in curbing the trafficking of contraband drugs and narcotics in the country.
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