KARACHI: The objective of celebrating International Customs Day is to exhibit the preparedness and determination towards eliminating crime and generating revenue while paying tribute to those who laid down lives for securing borders of the motherland.
Today all institutions of the federal government, provincial government and armed forces stand by Pakistan Customs in its firm determination against all odds in sea, desert and every nook and cranny of the country.
This was the crux of speeches made by FBR Member Customs Nisar Muhammad, Chief Collector Enforcement (South) Muhammad Yahya, Collector MCC-Preventive Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, Additional Collector Headquarters-I Shafqat Ali Khan Niazi, Assistant Collector-HQ I Muhammad Wasif Malik and other Customs officers at a ceremony held to celebrate International Customs Day.
FBR Member Customs Nisar Muhammad kicked off the celebrations of International Customs Day by hoisting flag at Customs House Karachi.
Chief Collector Enforcement (South) Muhammad Yahya, Collector MCC-Preventive Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, Additional Collector HQ-I Shafqat Ali Khan Niazi, AC-HQ I Muhammad Wasif Malik and other Customs officials were also present on the occasion.
Later on, a simple but impressive ceremony was held at Naval area of ‘Ghaggar Phattak’ on National Highway.
Chief Collector Enforcement (South) Muhammad Yahya was the chief guest at the ceremony while heads of other agencies including Director General Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Brig Muhammad Abuzar and Deputy Director General Maritime Security Agency Rehan Khan attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Collector Yahya said that objective behind celebrating the International Customs Day was to show the international community and the nation that Pakistan Customs was committed to ensuring security of the country’s revenue borders.
Mr Yahya informed that Pakistan Customs collected not only 44 percent of total revenue of the country but also ensure safety of its borders.
He said that all institutions of the country including media, judiciary, armed forces and others acknowledged the significant role of Pakistan Customs as leading agency in safeguarding the economic fronts.
“Today, all institutions of the federal and provincial governments and armed forces stand by Pakistan Customs in its struggle and endeavours for eliminating crime and generating revenue”, he pointed out.
He claimed that the World Customs Organisation (WCO) by acknowledging determination and dedication of Pakistan Customs had decided to observe the International Customs Day with the theme “Communication, Sharing Information for Better Coordination.”
The Chief Collector Enforcement emphasized that “we should keep one thing in minds that we all are Pakistani and a united nation which is determined to overcoming all problems confronted by the country.
On the occasion, ANF Sindh DG Brig Muhammad Abuzar termed the role of Pakistan Customs very responsive towards curbing narcotics smuggling. “I have been in close coordination with Pakistan Customs after coming into Karachi and the determination and dedication showed by its official impressed me”, he added.
Brig Abuzar assured his wholehearted support to Pakistan Customs in eliminating smuggling of narcotics and illicit products.
Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Preventive Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda in his welcome address said that the Pakistan Customs celebrated the International Customs Day as a religious festival.
“Today, setting contraband goods and narcotics on fire is part of tireless and effective working of Pakistan Customs towards elimination of illicit activities”, Huda added.
He acknowledged that coordination with other security agencies had increased in recent days, adding that inter-agency information sharing was imperative to block the illicit activities.
On the occasion, the Collector MCC-Preventive greeted all officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on International Customs Day.
Speaking to the audience Assistant Collector HQ-I Muhammad Wasif Malik pledged, “We do promise that we will adhere to the message of Chief Collector Enforcement with passion and zeal”.
Later on, ADC (Headquarters-I) Shafqat Ali Khan Niazi took vote of thanks from the participants through an anthem against narcotics and drugs played on the occasion.
The ceremony was followed by mass destruction of contraband goods and smuggled narcotics and drugs including 41.967 kg of heroin, 3,400 liquor bottles, 2500 bear tins, 20 cartons of Pine Cigarettes (Made in Korea), 9,740 Kg of miscellaneous ‘Gutka’, 400 kg of empty printed aluminium bottles and bags, 200 kg of poultry feed, 1,000 DVD printed wrappers, 10,954 pieces of expired cosmetic products, 477 miscellaneous contraband items received from AFU including chemicals, medicines, printed material, books, advertising material, foodstuffs, DVD for training and adhesive paper, etc was held. Chief Collector Enforcement Yahya torched the narcotics and contraband goods.
A large number of officers and representatives of different Consulates/Embassies were also present on the occasion.