SIALKOT: Customs Intelligence Superintendent Muhammad Akmal said that instead of waiting for a trickle-down effect, the department plans to raise awareness among the grassroots to show people the cons of smuggling and the use of smuggled goods.
“During the campaign, the public will also be informed about the adverse effects of smuggling on the country’s economy, and how the people have to compensate for that in the form of inflated tax rate.”
As part of the campaign, thousands of flyers, posters will be distributed in the process among the masses, he said, adding that other techniques will also be adopted to communicate the message in order to yield desired results.
The plan will be sent to the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation for further considerations, while the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will approve it for implementation, he informed.
The superintendent further described the strategy of which camps will be set in main cities of Gujranwala division to educate the public. He hoped that the smuggling would come to a bad end with implementing the awareness campaign.
It may be mentioned here that the Customs Intelligence under the supervision of Director General Imtiaz Ahmad Khan showed outstanding performance during financial year 2015-16 by seizing smuggled goods and non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 5.60 billion.
