ISLAMABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO), Peshawar, has impounded non-duty paid and offending vehicles, and smuggled goods worth Rs 1.528 billion up to June 15 of the current fiscal year.
Peshawar ASO Deputy Collector Fazal-e-Samad said that the ASO was making efforts under the guidance of Collector Qurban Ali Khan to eliminate smuggling of goods and vehicles in the regions, adding that the performance of the collectorate was better than the previous fiscal year.
He also appreciated the performance of the ASO staff that made big seizures during the said period in the jurisdiction of Peshawar Customs.
The deputy collector said that the staff impounded 183 non-duty paid vehicles worth of Rs 309.250 million until June 15, besides impounded 253 offending vehicles under Section 157 of the Custom Act, 1969. The value of the offending vehicles has been estimated at Rs 328.1 million.
The ASO also seized various smuggled goods worth Rs 890.868 million during the said period. He said that the department made hundreds of successful seizures of smuggled goods including tyres, electronic goods, imported fabric, perfumes, black tea etc. The collector said that value of smuggled items in running fiscal year was better than previous year.
Collector Qurban Ali Khan has given special instructions to all departments to work diligently in order to achieve the set revenue target of the year, he added. The anti-smuggling activities have been expedited, he said.
Fazal e Samad said that a high level meeting of customs officials will be held at collectorate to review the revenue collection made so far, while Collector Qurban Ali Khan will preside over the meeting.