Customs I&I impounds smuggled fabric in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The intelligence and investigation (I&I) agency of Pakistan Customs has impounded a huge quantity of smuggled fabric while conducting a raid in a market located in Islamabad.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in a statement on Sunday said that the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Rawalpindi while building further on the incessant drive against smuggling, this morning on a credible information of smuggled fabric dumped in godowns located in a market at Golra Road Islamabad, after obtaining search warrants under section 162 of the Customs Act, 1969, conducted raid with assistance from Islamabad Police (PS Shams Colony).

Huge quantity of alleged smuggled fabric worth millions has been recovered and taken into custody. During the operation unidentified assailants attacked official vehicle of Assistant Director and damaged it. The directorate initiated legal proceedings.

This seizure is in line with the stated policy of the present government to curb illegal goods and thereby promote local industry. Ms. Kanwal Ali Additional Director, Naveed Bugvi Deputy Director and Rao Fahad Iqbal Assistant Director led the crackdown.

It is pertinent to mention that Federal Board of Revenue is following a policy of zero tolerance against smuggling and thereby has increased vigilance and surveillance of cargo movement across the border.

Finance Minister, Shaukat Tarin, has commended FBR for its successful anti-smuggling drive across Pakistan. Likewise, Chairman FBR/Secretary Revenue Division, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed has appreciated Member Customs (Ops) FBR, Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, in ensuring zero tolerance against smuggling of all shades and grades.

He further reiterated his unflinching resolve to fight the menace of smuggling across the country in order to maximize tax compliance.