KARACHI: Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation Karachi region has done a commendable job in the areas of anti-smuggling, detection of duty & taxes and revenue realization despite the fact of lacking in latest wireless equipments, speedy vehicles, modern techniques and dearth of manpower during first ten months (July-April) of current fiscal year 2014-15.
This was stated by the Director of Customs Intelligence & Investigation Karachi region, Asif Marghoob Siddiqui in an exclusive interview given to the Customs Today, adding that I&I Karachi made 161 cases amounting to Rs1439.06 million approximately amounting to Rs1.439 billion in its anti-smuggling strategy in Sindh province particularly in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur during July to April of current fiscal year as compared to 167 cases to the tune of Rs576millions in the year 2013-14.
He said that an increase of 149.7 percent was witnessed in the field of anti-smuggling as compared to the performance shown in the year 2013-2014.
Director Customs I&I said that following the directions of Director General Lutfullah Virk, the Customs I&I in the province had succeeded in detection of 100 cases of duty/taxes evasion of Rs3.343 billion in the year 2014-2015, while department could detect 79 cases with an amount of Rs1.106 billion during the same corresponding period of last year 2013-14.
Asif Marghoob further said that a 202 percent increase was observed in the detection of cases regarding the evaded duty and taxes as compared to the performance shown in the year 2013-2014.
He further disclosed that in the department of Revenue Realization Rs288.37millions was realized under the heads of auction and customs’ contraventions and seizure, etc.
Asif Marghoob further said that a growth of 185 percent was observed in revenue realization during current fiscal year as compared to the performance shown in the year 2013-2014.
To a question, Asif Marghoob replied that he has always taken other agencies like Rangers, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Police, Coast Guard and collectorates onboard as per the requirement of the action.
He also disclosed that his own staffers were not spared and booked under the charges of connivance with the smugglers itself proves that the Customs I&I Karachi was working with complete honesty and dedication. He added that due to the hard work smuggling has been reduced in the areas as our actions are working as deterrent to the motive of the smugglers.
