By our correspondent
Lahore
According to the sources of Daily Notable, under the vision, able-guidance and leadership of Ch. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Director General, Intelligence & Investigation- Customs, Pakistan the Lahore Range has shown incredible performance during Current F.Y 2023-24 in month of March, 2024. Unprecedented achievements have been made by the Customs Intelligence Lahore in both anti-smuggling and enforcement fields.
Lahore team followed, in letter and spirit, the DG’s zero tolerance policy against smuggling and evasion. Despite scanty resources, the Directorate achieved extraordinary results by punctilious planning and precise implementation of tax laws under adept management of Director, Muhammad Haris Ansari.
The teams in the field were actively supervised by Additional Director Ch. Rizwan Bashir Kalair. Brief of the accomplishments is as follows:-
A. ANTI-SMUGGLING DRIVE (March, 2024):
During the month of March, 2024, Anti-smuggling arm of the Directorate has successfully framed 57 seizure cases of value Rs. 558 million compared to the previous F.Y 2022-23 month of March, 2023 of Rs. 506 million which is increase of +10%.
KEY FEATURES:
Anti-smuggling wing of Customs Intelligence Lahore made seizures of non duty paid/ smuggled goods & vehicles in the month of March, 2024 are under:-
Sr. No. Description Qty. Value
(in million)
1 F/o. NDP Vehicles 30-Nos. 244
2 F/o. Cloth/ Fabric 32,223-Kgs. 104
3 F/o. Cigarettes 488,000-Cigts. sticks 22
4 F/o. POL Product 61,100-Ltrs. 16
5 F/o. Betel Nuts 7,390-Kgs. 11
6 F/o. Auto/Spare Parts 648-Nos. & 2468-Kgs. 11
7 F/o. Tyres 176-Nos. 6
8F/o. Misc goods misc144
• The operations were planned and executed jointly with Police and other LEAs.
ANTI-SMUGGLING DRIVE F.Y 2023-24 (JULY, 2023-MARCH, 2024)
It is note worthy that, during the first nine months of the Current Financial Year (July, 2023 to March, 2024), the Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore has seized smuggled goods and vehicles of valuing Rs. 5378 million compared the previous F.Y 2022-23 Period of (July-March) of Rs. 4898 million, which is increase of +10%.
B. INVESTIGATION & PROSECUTION (I&P) BRANCH
• In the month of March, 2024 this Directorate has lodged 07 FIRs lodged and 01 offender was arrested.
• In current F.Y 2023-24 period of nine months this Directorate has lodged 64 FIRs and 42 offenders was arrested.
C. ANTI-EVASION DRIVE (ENFORCEMENT) F.Y 2023-24 (JULY, 2023-MAR, 2024)
It is note worthy that, during the first nine months of the Current Financial Year (July, 2023 to March, 2024), Enforcement branch detects evasion of duty and taxes cases from custom stations (dry ports / air ports etc) valuing Rs. 13,102 million involving duty & taxes 4181 million compared the previous F.Y 2022-23 Period of (July-March) of valuing Rs. 7929 million involving duty & taxes Rs. 2941, which is increase of +42% of involving taxes.
COMBINED REVENUE REALIZED (ASO+ENF) (JULY, 23 TO MARCH, 24)
During the current F.Y 2023-24 (July, 2023 – March, 2024), the revenue realized through auction/ recovery of duty & taxes by the ASO & Enforcement branches is Rs. 515 million.
Director General Customs Intelligence, Ch. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar has lauded efforts of the Lahore team for unprecedented achievements on both fronts. He emphasized that this contribution of Lahore Region is part of a coordinated drive of the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence in particular and FBR in general against smuggling and tax evasion. He further stressed that performance of the Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs throughout the country was exceptional, especially when compared with available scarce resources (HR & finances).
Director General Customs Intelligence lauded the efforts and planning of Muhammad Haris Ansari, Director and active supervision and coordination of Ch. Rizwan Bashir Kalair, Additional Director with LEAs, Yawar Hayat, Deputy Director and Muhammad Mubeen (Supdt. ASO), Rai Waqar (Supdt. ASO Gurnjawala) and Hameed Bhatti (Incharge. Enforcement) for on ground operations and respective teams especially I.Os Gulzar Bhatti, Ahtisham Naveed & Sepoy Syed Amir Shabbir. Directorate Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore has expressed resolve against smuggling and evasion of duty & taxes. – PUNA