RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Customs Region (North) has shown remarkable performance during current fiscal year and collected Rs 1,514 millions customs duty during August, 2019 as compared to Rs 1,195 million collected during August, 2018, reflecting an increase of 27 percent.

According to the latest data released by the FBR’s Customs here on Thursday, an amount of Rs 1,377 millions was collected under the head of sales tax as compared to Rs 1,300 millions collected during August, 2018, the same is 6% higher than the previous year’s collection. As regards collection of all taxes is concerned, the North Region collected Rs 3,738 millions during August, 2019 as compared to 3,273 millions during the corresponding period of last year, recording an increase of Rs 465 millions 14%. The Customs Region (North) comprises four Collectorates i.e., Model Customs Collectorates of Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and MCC Appraisement and Preventive, Peshawar covering the whole of KPK as well as the merged districts of erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

On the enforcement/anti-smuggling side, the Customs Region (North) also performed exceptionally well despite severe constraints of logistics and personnel to cover the vast jurisdiction comprising almost three provinces. During the month of August, 2019, the North Region seized huge quantity of smuggled and non-duty paid goods including vehicles, narcotics, currency and gold etc. to the tune of Rs 588 millions as against goods worth Rs 188 millions seized during August, 2018, thus showing an increase of Rs 400 millions (313%). MCC Islamabad has surpassed the target assigned with regard to seizures of smuggled goods. The drive is continued and efforts are being made to get assistance from other law enforcement agencies as well to eradicate the menace of smuggling.

It is pertinent to mention that a comprehensive strategy has been devised by all the Collectorates and each office has been given specific targets which are monitored by senior level officers regularly. Owing to this special focus, the flow of smuggled goods through major roads has been effectively frustrated.

It is added that under directives from the FBR Hqs, special joint survey of major retail outlets have been launched in association with RTOs of Peshawar, Islamabad and Rawalpindi with effect from September 01, 2019 to assess the quantum of smuggled goods available in markets. To this effect, joint teams of Peshawar Customs conducted survey of seventeen major retail outlets covering electronics shops, cloth stores and other consumer durables. In Rawalpindi/Islamabad 37 major retail outlets have been surveyed in Blue Area Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Further course of action shall be adopted according to the law.

All the four Collectorates of Customs Region (North) contributed significantly in successfully attaining their respective revenue targets. Chief Collector Customs (North), Islamabad, Dr Asif Mahmood Jah (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) attributed this achievement to Allah’s kindness besides the untiring efforts and hard work of the officers and staff of the Region under the dynamic leadership of Dr Jawwad Uwais Agha, Member Customs (Operations) who kept a strong vigilance during the year and kept issuing regular instructions for maximizing revenue efforts through goods clearance, auctions, recovery of arrears and encashment of bank guarantees etc.

He also expressed confidence that the officers and staff will maintain this efficiency and put in their best possible efforts to continue to strive for such success in future as well. The Chief Collector Customs (North) further emphasized the officers and staff to ensure strict discipline, adopt austerity measures, honesty and unflinching enforcement of laws for the economic uplift of the country during the ongoing financial crisis faced by the country. Moreover, directions have also been issued to all Collectorates for weeding out corrupt and delinquent elements.