According to reports appearing in the Customs Today, various branches of the Customs department confiscated goods worth millions of rupees in September across the country. The seized goods included ladies cloth, cumin seeds, cigarettes, juices, chocolates, auto parts and polyester fabric. As a matter of fact, the customs department seizes tonnes of goods every month and confiscation is regarded as a routine matter. The seized goods are disposed of or put to auction later on. The point is how the goods make their way into the country despite heavy presence of army, rangers and coast guards on the borders and coastal areas. The smuggling of dutiable or contraband items suggest security lapse on the part of the officials who are deployed to guard the country’s frontiers.
The items which are frequently seized by the customs department are Iranian goods, including oil, diesel, ceramics tiles and blankets. The customs department has now begun to make close liaison with security agencies, including rangers and coast guards to stop the menace of smuggling in the country. However, despite all these kinds of arrangements, the smuggling still continues at an alarming rate. According to some experts, the Afghan Transit Trade is also a source of smuggling as the items, which are imported through this channel, are ultimately land into Bara markets in various cities of the country. Smuggling is not only harmful for the local industry, but it also deprives the country of billions of rupees taxes and duties.
Reviewing the situation, every finger is pointed on the federal government which has failed to revisit existing laws to curb smuggling and adopt a realistic approach toward the situation. If the smuggled Iranian oil is available in Pakistan on the cheapest rates, it should be a point to ponder for the government to change its laws to allow legal import of goods from the neighbouring country. It should also be noted that why Iranian ceramic tiles are of good quality and cheaper than those are manufactured in Pakistan. On another note, Iranian blankets are freely available in every market across the country. If this is the situation, why the government does not opt for a free trade agreement with the brotherly Islamic country or takes steps to minimize taxes and duties on the Iranian products? The world is heading toward integration and trade barriers within the countries are being softened. There is a need to enhance trade with Iran and support it on every international forum for a common cause which is the economy.
