KARACHI: Customs Quetta has seized non-custom-paid vehicles and an oil tanker loaded with Irani diesel, and arrested four persons as the anti-smuggling drive gains momentum.
In line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and on the directives of Chief Collector Gul Rehman, Collector Quetta Irfan Javed, Additional Collector Yasir Kalwar, Deputy Collector Akbar Jan and Assistant Collector Umair Khan launched a crackdown on non-custom-paid vehicles and smuggled diesel from Iran.
Customs staff comprising Inspectors Shabbir Khan, Rehmatullah Khan, Muhammad Hashim and Ishaq George seized three NCP vehicles and a tanker loaded with smuggled diesel. The value of seized goods comes to Rs30 million. FIR is lodged and investigations are underway.
Collector Quetta Irfan Javed said new Customs check posts were being established, which would significantly reduce smuggling. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has earmarked Rs180 million for this purpose.
The Federal Budget FY22 envisages a collection of Rs506 billion in additional revenue through taxation and enforcement measures.
An official said the Imran Khan led government had devised a policy to increase the tax revenue without increasing taxes on common man.
The official said as Customs and FBR were quite alert the incidence of smuggling particularly by known and notorious smugglers had reduced to a significant extent.
The official said government lost huge revenue due to smuggling, and inflow of smuggled goods was also bad for local market and industry.
The official said with tight control on smuggling, these goods would be imported through legal channels resulting in revenue for the government.
