ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has seized goods/items worth around Rs39.6 billion which were being smuggled from Afghanistan and other countries into Pakistan during last three years.
The abstract of smuggled goods seized during the period showed on Wednesday that during 2014-15, the goods worth Rs9.582 billion were seized, goods worth Rs14.343 billion seized in 2015-16 and year 2016-17 witnessed seizure of smuggled goods worth Rs15.652 billion.
According to Ministry of Interior, smuggling from neighbouring countries has long been a source of concern for Pakistan.
The long porous Pak-Afghan and Pak-lran border, the terrain which is mostly mountainous coupled with volatile law and order situation in region have traditionally made the task of anti-smuggling difficult for LEAs having jurisdiction in the bordering area.
The smuggling mafia uses unfrequented routes along the border which are located far from notified legal routes where Pakistan Customs have no or very thin presence.
Since it is not a regular and documented trade, it is difficult to determine exact amount of goods/items being smuggled from Afghanistan and other countries into Pakistan.
