Islamabad, October 3, 2024 – In a decisive move to combat smuggling across Pakistan’s western borders, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday delegated key customs powers to the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan. This measure aims to curb the illicit trade and smuggling activities rampant in the province’s border regions.
Through SRO 1508(I)/2024, dated September 24, 2024, the FBR officially granted FC Balochistan (North and South) the authority to act as customs officers under the Customs Act of 1969. The newly conferred powers enable the FC to operate within their respective jurisdictions to thwart smuggling activities while safeguarding legitimate trade. The decision is effective immediately and reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening border security and maintaining economic stability.
The FBR has imposed several conditions on the FC’s authority to ensure the smooth execution of its mandate while avoiding disruptions to lawful trade. Notably, the FC’s powers will be restricted to non-customs areas within Balochistan, specifically excluding designated customs stations, ports, border customs stations, international airports, and bonded warehouses.
Moreover, the personnel of FC Balochistan have been instructed not to interfere with any bona fide passenger’s baggage or goods already cleared by customs authorities. This clause seeks to prevent unnecessary delays and ensures the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel.
“The primary objective of this delegation of powers is to intensify efforts against smuggling, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas where the Frontier Corps has an established presence,” stated an FBR official. “However, we are also ensuring that the flow of lawful trade remains unobstructed.”
The FBR has mandated the FC to exercise due diligence in performing their duties, ensuring they do not disrupt legitimate imports, exports, or general public activities. The FC personnel will provide assistance to customs officers in line with Section 7 of the Customs Act, reinforcing collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
In addition to their new customs functions, the FC is required to deposit any seized goods suspected of being smuggled into state warehouses, which must be approved by the Collector of Customs. Furthermore, the Officer Commanding (OC) of each FC formation will be responsible for submitting monthly reports detailing all seizures to the relevant customs enforcement authority.
This collaboration between the FBR and FC Balochistan underscores the government’s strategy to tighten border controls and enhance enforcement efforts in combating illegal smuggling, a persistent challenge to Pakistan’s economy.