Daily Times

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) seized smuggled goods worth Rs35 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (July-January 2020-21).

According to a press statement issued on Sunday, this shows an increase of 59 percent when compared to the corresponding period (Jul 2019-Jan 2020) of the last financial year during which smuggled goods worth Rs22 billion were seized.

Moreover, the statement added that the counter-smuggling performance of seven months of current fiscal year (FY) is almost equal to the performance of twelve months of last fiscal year, during which smuggled items worth Rs36 billion were seized.

It is permanent to mention that the FBR in line with the vision of the Prime Minister has taken concrete steps to curb the menace of smuggling.

These steps are yielding excellent results and thus providing a better environment to the local economy and industry for achieving its growth.

During the current fiscal year, the increase in value of seizure as compared to last FY has been recorded in Non-Custom Paid (NCP) vehicles, Rs11.3 billion (66 percent); betel nuts-Rs3.4 billion (105 percent); fabrics-Rs1.9 billion (28 percent); cigarettes, Rs553 million (70 percent); auto-parts, Rs492 million (113 percent); electronic goods, Rs380 million (67 percent); diesel, Rs899 million (93 percent) and gold/silver bars/jewellery, Rs271 million (104 percent).

During the current financial year, the FBR also made major seizures of endangered wildlife-falcons, liquor and narcotics.

In addition, Pakistan Customs also played a vital role in seizure of 06 million tonnes of Iodine used in manufacturing of an illicit drug methamphetamine which was also appreciated by International Agencies like UNODC and US DEA Office.

Moreover, a recent operation led by Pakistan Customs against Illegal POL Outlets has also been a successful attempt in combating the menace of smuggling by sealing more than 2000 illegal outlets all over the country and initiating criminal proceedings against the perpetrators.

The statement said that due to such landmark steps, local industry is gaining ground as the flow of smuggled goods has decreased dramatically during the financial year.

Stringent measures have also been adopted to stop reverse flow of smuggle-prone items from unfrequented routes thus resulting in increase of such items in imports.

The extraordinary counter smuggling performance shows FBR’s commitment to combat smuggling and promote trade and local industry.