Lahore: Lahore Range of Customs Intelligence has set an exceptional precedent for performance during the month of October 2023, thanks to the visionary leadership of Ch. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Director General of Intelligence & Investigation – Customs, Pakistan.
Unprecedented accomplishments have been recorded in the fields of anti-smuggling and enforcement, reinforcing the commitment to curb illicit activities in the region.
Under the steadfast guidance of Director General Ch. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, the Lahore team diligently adhered to the zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and evasion. Despite limited resources, the Directorate achieved extraordinary results through meticulous planning and precise implementation of tax laws, all under the adept management and supervision of Director I&I Lahore Muhammad Haris Ansari.
The Anti-smuggling arm of the Directorate achieved a record 54 seizures with a total value of Rs. 1,703 million. This remarkable achievement sets a new record for the highest value of seizures in a single month, surpassing the previous best of Rs. 1,231 million by 38.34%, which was made during the last financial year.
Seizures totaling Rs. 1,703 million, which included 1,754,000 liters of petrol, 34,000 liters of diesel, 31,640 liters of Mobil oil/fuel oil, 47 vehicles, 5,406,600 cigarette sticks, 9,724 kg of betel nuts, 1,207 kg of Indian-origin Ratna, and miscellaneous items such as electronics goods, mobile phones, skimmed milk, dry fruits, and sheesha flavor, all worth millions of rupees.
Operations were conducted in collaboration with the police and other law enforcement agencies, including intelligence agencies.
Investigation & Prosecution (I&P) Branch lodged 37 FIRs, arrested 19 offenders.
Disrupted criminal gangs involved in the smuggling of POL (petroleum, oil, and lubricants), cigarettes, and tobacco items, initiating criminal proceedings against the accused.
Launched a major crackdown against mafias engaged in the smuggling of diesel and petrol, in cooperation with intelligence agencies.
The Enforcement branch uncovered cases of duty and tax evasion at custom stations (dry ports/airports, etc.). During October 2023, the Enforcement Wing of Customs Intelligence, Lahore delivered outstanding results:
Registered cases involving Duty & Taxes of Rs. 138 million in October 2023, compared to Rs. 5 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, reflecting a remarkable increase of 2660%.
Registered cases involving CIF value of Rs. 338 million in October 2023, compared to Rs. 12 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, marking an astounding increase of 2716%.
In the first four months of FY-23-24, the enforcement branch collected approximately Rs. 40.5 million in revenue, an increase of 300% over the already paid amount.
Director General Customs Intelligence, Ch. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, commended the Lahore team for their extraordinary achievements on both fronts. He emphasized that Lahore’s contributions were part of a coordinated effort by the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to combat smuggling and tax evasion. He noted that the Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs was performing exceptionally well nationwide, despite the challenges of limited resources.
Director Customs Intelligence also praised the active supervision and coordination of Ch. Rizwan Bashir Kalair, Additional Director, along with Shah Samad Hamdani, Deputy Director, ASO, and their teams, reiterating the commitment to continue the crackdown against smuggling and tax evasion with full force.