KARACHI: MCC Quetta and Customs I&I Quetta with the assistance of FC and district administration has launched a crackdown against showrooms selling smuggled, non-duty paid cars.
Show rooms at Suryab Road, which is called no-go area in Quetta; Jinnah Town, Shahbaz Town were raided and around 20 cars were taken into custody.
The authorities faced resistance at Suryab Road and Jinnah Town, which was curbed and two miscreants were arrested.
Collector Quetta Saeed Jadoon around a month ago had warned these showrooms to handover smuggled vehicles or action would be taken against them. Deputy Collector Amanullah Tareen and Deputy Director Inamullah Wazir, Major Asfandyar of FC, two magistrates and two DSPs along with their respective contingent participated in the operation.
As many as eight showrooms were raided and vehicles were inspected on the spot and around 20 vehicles were taken into custody, which had no import record. These vehicles include latest models of BMW, Land Cruiser, Toyota Surf and other luxury vehicles.
The crackdown would continue and raids would be conducted on showrooms at Northern Bypass, Airport Road and Double Road. Sources said the campaign would be expanded to the rest of province.
This is for the first time that Saeed Jadoin has taken such an action against smuggled vehicles and showrooms housing these smuggled and non duty paid vehicles.
The political figures and influential in Baluchistan have always supported and patronized smuggling. Several minister and even one former chief minister have siad on record that smuggling was the prime profession of people in the province and it should not be touched.
But, things have changed now as both democratic and military leadership are on same page and Pakistan military is extending all support and guidatnce to all the sectors of the country.
It is mentioned that on last Friday some members of Baluchistan assembly have moved a resolution against Collector of Customs for serving notices on showroom owners and the action taken accordingly.