ISLAMABAD: In line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to curb the menace of smuggling, the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) Customs Region (North) seized goods worth Rs 8,351 million during 2019-20, which is Rs1,189 million (17percent) higher than the assigned target of Rs7,162 million for the same period.
According to the details issued by Customs Department here on Wednesday, this data reflects the highest seizures of smuggled goods all over Pakistan. The seized goods included non-duty paid (NDP) vehicles, dry/fresh fruits, jewellery (gold bars/ ornaments), smuggled oil/ diesel, dry milk, foreign origin fabric, narcotics, tyres, cigarettes, electronics and other miscellaneous goods. The Customs Region (North) comprises of four Collectorates i.e., Model Customs
Collectorates of Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, MCC (Appraisement & Facilitation), Peshawar and MCC (Enforcement & Compliance), Peshawar covering Islamabad/ Rawalpindi, the whole of KP as well as the merged districts of erstwhile FATA. Though, all the four Collectorates of Customs Region (North) contributed significantly towards curbing the menace of smuggling, yet the performance of MCC Islamabad and MCC (Enforcement & Compliance), Peshawar stood exceptional in this regard.
MCC Islamabad was able to seize goods worth Rs. 2,364 million during 2019-20 against the assigned target of Rs. 1,722 million, which is Rs. 642 million (37%) more the highest ever seizure in recent history. Similarly, MCC (Enforcement & Compliance), Peshawar was able to seize goods worth Rs.5, 972 million (which includes a mega case of 1,080 kgs of Hashish worth Rs. 330 million) during the said period which is Rs. 532 million (10%) more than the assigned target of Rs. 5,440 million for the said period, despite the fact that transportation of smuggled goods greatly reduced due to closure of Western Border and markets for the last couple of months.
It is pertinent to mention that some cases have been affected on specific information where smuggled goods were kept in concealments mixed with other goods. Moreover, ever since joining of Syed Tariq Huda as Member Customs (Operations), strict directives were issued to all enforcement formations to utilize and mobilize all resources for affecting mega cases and curbing the menace of smuggling altogether. In line with these directions, field formations of North Region made all out efforts and geared up anti-smuggling operations for affecting mega cases which resulted in surpassing the assigned target.
On revenue front, Customs Region (North) collected Rs. 49,972 million during FY 2019-20 which is Rs. 706 million more than the collection made during last financial year. Owing to the effect of Pandemic COVID-19 when whole of the world stood still, this has been made possible by extra efforts on the part of Customs staff, posted in the region as per vision of the current government to maximize revenue collection through concerted efforts and business friendly approach and quick clearances despite considerable import compression during the financial year.
The performance of Customs (North) region has been continuously conveyed to the Prime Minister's Office from time to time during the last financial year and was very well appreciated. Due to the unfortunate and life threatening accident of Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, Chief Collector Customs (North), Islamabad on June 18, 2020, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah kept on giving regular instructions to the Collectors while on bed rest, for enhancing revenue collection efforts and gearing up anti-smuggling activities to maximize the revenue collection during last two weeks of June, 2020 for achieving the assigned targets.
Chairperson FBR, Member Customs (Operations) and all the Officers of FBR contacted and approached Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, Chief Collector Customs (North) from time to time and prayed for his speedy and early recovery and health. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah will resume his duties as Chief Collector Customs (North) once recovered.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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