PESHAWAR: The Customs Collectorate has sought assistance from provincial police and the Excise and Taxation Department to prevent smuggling through rickshaws, motorcycles and cycles from Karkhano Market to other parts of the country. For this purpose, the local customs authorities have written formal letters to provincial agencies.
Sources told Customs Today that following the directives of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan Customs has prepared a strategy to prevent smuggling carried out from Peshawar to Lahore in the garb of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT).
Some women carriers are also involved in the smuggling and they used to transport smuggled goods from Karkhano Market to the godowns of General Bus Stands.
Sources said that due to the law and order situation and huge vehicular traffic it is impossible for Customs Mobile Squad to chase these hundreds of rickshaws, motorcycles and cycles.
Sources further revealed that most of the rickshaws and motorcycles used in smuggling are unregistered and after their seizure, customs officials have to face hardships in the registration of cases against them.
The letters to Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director General (DG) Excise and Taxation have been written after thorough deliberations and their cooperation has been sought in the prevention of smuggling.
