MULTAN: Regional Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) has held a ceremony to destroy non-duty paid goods worth Rs5 billion.
Sources told Customs Today that in a resolute stand against illicit trade, Customs Intelligence and Investigation orchestrated a monumental operation, incinerating contraband valued at an astounding 5 billion rupees at Multan’s Dry Port. The torched inventory encompassed a spectrum of prohibited items, from alcohol bottles to untaxed mobile phones, cigarettes, betel nuts, and even sexual enhancers.
Speaking at the event, Additional Director Dr. Muhammad Mumtaz Ali Raza Chaudhry underscored the pivotal role of such actions in curbing smuggling and combatting societal maladies. He stressed the unwavering commitment of the Customs department, operating tirelessly day and night, to stem the tide of illegal trade, which poses grave economic and social risks.
Dr. Chaudhry emphasized that battling smuggling stands as a linchpin for Pakistan’s progress, signaling a firm stance against those undermining the nation’s prosperity. Noteworthy was the disposal of approximately 136 tons of seized contraband from the fiscal year 2023, following due legal processes and receiving the nod from the Federal Board of Revenue.
Furthermore, Dr. Chaudhry unveiled a significant surge in recent crackdowns on non-customs paid goods, marking a 59% increase in seizures compared to the preceding fiscal year. These confiscations ranged from gutka to illicit drugs, underscoring the dire consequences of smuggling on societal well-being.
Revealing the staggering financial toll incurred in combating smuggling, Dr. Chaudhry disclosed that seizures over the last six months alone amounted to a whopping 200 million rupees. He emphasized the imperative of synergistic efforts among law enforcement agencies to effectively combat the scourge of smuggling and safeguard the nation’s interests.
The event garnered participation from key stakeholders, including Collector Customs Enforcement Imran Sajjad Bukhari, Additional Collector Shah Faisal, Deputy Collector Maryam Jameela, and Deputy Director Umair Zahid, alongside representatives from the judiciary, Anti-Narcotics Force, and media. This concerted display of resolve underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to stamp out smuggling, paving the way for a prosperous and thriving Pakistan.
