KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has nominated a BS-19 officer as focal person in every collectorate and directorate to ensure a coordination and resource-sharing environment between the formations against the menace of smuggling.
In 2014 DG Intelligence & Investigation (I&I) Lurfullah Virk as the focal person supervising the anti-smuggling campaign. Last week a meeting under the chair of Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan held at FBR and was attended by Member Customs Nasir Masroor, DG I&I Imtiaz Ahmed, Chief Collector North Rozi Khan Burki, Director I&I HQ Islamabad Mohammad Saleem.
The meeting decided and reactivated the strategy involving focal persons. Mohammad Saleem talking to Customnews.pk said that three stations had been declared sensitive pertaining to smuggling including Quetta, Peshawar and Multan.
There has been a significant decrease in smuggling in Quetta due to concerted efforts of FC and Customs while a mega crackdown against smuggling is being planned for Peshawar and Multan, which is the center point of the country.
DG I&I Imtiaz Ahmed visited Multan the other day and met with the focal persons at MCC Multan and would visit other northern stations. The data and intelligence has already been collected and soon a rigorous exercise would be initiated soon.
The FBR with the assistance of Motorway Police has also planned an operation against transportation of smuggled goods on motorways.