ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to destroy at least 155,000 mobile phones which were confiscated in different operations.
This was stated by Chief Customs C&F Ikhlaq Ahmed Khattak during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. He said that the FBR will adopt this policy on permanent basis as all the board members are agreed to amend the rules. He said that during a recently held meeting of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the participants feared that the smuggled mobile phones were not registered with PTA and could be used by terrorists. He said that in this case, the PTA would not be in a position to detect the real owners of the phones.
Khattak said that keeping in view all the points, the FBR has decided to destroy all these smart phones. He said that after amendment to the rules, the FBR would issue necessary directions to all field formations.
Chief Customs C&F Ikhlaq Khattak said that there is marginable decrease witnessed in Afghan Transit Trade because of strict checking. He said that tracking system is functioning well, so there is decrease in smuggling.
He suggested that after establishing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a modernize Customs Station of international standard should be constructed at Sust Border Post.
Answering a question about $250 million loan received from Asian Development Bank, Ikhlaq said that we need to upgrade Wahga, Chaman and Torkham borders, because on these borders traders are facing difficulties because there customs and Federal Investigation Agency checked them separately. He said that we are adopting measures of international standard to upgrade these check points and all these agencies which includes FIA, Customs, ANF will function under one authority.
He said that Customs authorities already finalized the interviews of candidates who are applied for the post of project manager, accounts officers, coordinators and other posts.
Ikhlaq Khattak said that there is slight improvement in conditions of traffic at Torkham and other borders and authorities are facing difficulties to determine which container is for import and which container is for export purpose. He said that now all the system will be channelized after which the actual cost will decrease on transportation of these goods.
He said that we are also working to construct some modernized crossing at Taftan border. He said that Taftan border is an important part of trade traffic. Ikhlaq Khattak said that Planning Commission of Pakistan is looking after whole project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said that all the recommendations and suggestions forwarded by Planning Commission regarding CPEC are approved by Federal Board of Revenue.
He said after completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor trade activities will touch to new heights. Ikhlaq said that Customs established many fair price shops but people used these fair price shops illegally so have decided to shut these shops.
He said that we are working to simply our disposal system because it is easier to seize a item, then we forward the case to adjudication and then for appeals. He said that instead of keeping these seized goods and vehicles in warehouses we prefer to auction them after following proper procedure.
Ikhlaq Khattak said that FBR is working on a comprehensive strategy to meet the revenue collection target set for Fiscal Year 2016-17.
