KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has expedited its efforts against the movement of smuggled goods, and in several operations worth millions of rupees were seized. The influx of smuggled goods has surged after the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was opened.
Influx of smuggled goods has multi-pronged impacts on the country’s economy. On one hand the national exchequer is deprived of its legitimate revenue while on the other hand, local manufacturers and law-abiding importers come at a disadvantage. Moreover, money made from this dirty business fund anti-social and terrorist elements.
Quite recently, Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation seized large quantity if smuggled goods worth Rs92 million. MCC Islamabad seized large quantity of smuggled mobile phones worth Rs7.0 million and MCC Quetta confiscated used/old tyres valuing Rs1.25 million.
On information of Mohammad Saleem Director I&I Peshawar, Directorate of Intelligence and investigation Deputy Director Khayal Mohammad intercepted three trucks, with the assistance of Peshawar Police, near entry point of Motorway M1. The trucks were going to Lahore from Khyber agency. Peshawar Police has been quite efficient and honest. The seized goods include cigarettes, gutka, refrigeration gas, window ACs, mobile phones 6900 and welding rods valuing Rs92 millions and that of trucks is Rs9.0 million.
This is the largest seizure of smuggled goods in recent history of the Directorate. Further investigation is underway to arrest the smuggling network operating in the region. It may be mentioned here that these goods landed at Port Bandar Abbas transported to Afghanistan and them smuggled into Pakistan.
Meanwhile, M/s Arsalam & Company, Taftan imported a consignment of old and used tyres from Iran and filed a Transshipment (TP) to NLC Dry Port. MCC Quetta refused the TP as the imported goods are in violation of Import Policy Order and seized the commodity worth Rs1.25 million.
Further, during the clearance of Shaheen Airline flight arrived at BBI Airport, Islamabad from Dubai, one porter namely Jehanzeb Siddiqui along with trolley carrying 03 suit cases and one carton came with a person namely Ahmed Bilal who claimed to be an employee of a government agency. When intercepted, he claimed that this baggage is of a senior officer who is awaiting delivery at Rawal Lounge. But he was diverted to the Customs Scanning Machine, the baggage was scanned which led to the recovery of 651 smart mobile phones, and the same were seized at the spot after proper documentation. Approximate market value of the seized mobile phones is Rs7.0 million.
The Customs has alerted Collector Quetta Saeed Jadoon, Collector Islamabad Arslan Subuctageen, Director ASO Karachi Tahir Qureshi, Collector Preventive Karachi Saifuddin Junejo, Collector Gwadar Feroz Alam Junejo, Deputy Director Inamullah Wazir and others to keep strict vigil on the movement of smuggled goods.
