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The Directorate-General of Intelligence and Investigation, Customs and Excise, Islamabad, has proposed fencing of Pak-Afghan border at specific areas to check the movement of illegal/smuggled goods under the 'National Anti-Smuggling Strategy'.
Sources in the Directorate told Business Recorder on Saturday that a task force comprising senior customs officials has chalked out the strategy on the directive of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The main focus on the new enforcement strategy is to concentrate on borders through strict measures.
The policy has been recently handed over to FBR for approval and subsequent implementation. One of the important features of the 'National Anti-Smuggling Strategy' is fencing of border area. In future, smuggling of consumable items is likely to decrease due to tariff rationalisation.
However, illicit trade of items like drugs, precursors, weapons, ODS substances, obscene material, counterfeit goods, etc, would be on the rise. Therefore, the most effective measure to control movement of illegal goods is fencing of borders, sources said. Although it is a gigantic task, and probably impossible, but better results can be obtained through two-pronged strategy.
First, Pakistan should work on the fencing of non-mountainous border, on the pattern of Iran. Second, in case of mountainous terrain, popular entry/exit points be identified, after detailed survey, and customs stations should be established at all these points.
Sources said that the Directorate has also proposed measures to check smuggling along the coastline. Collectorate of Customs (Preventive), Karachi, should be provided check-posts at suitable locations. These check-posts should be equipped with boats and other equipment needed for marine-based enforcement.
One of the major reasons for failure of customs as department of anti-smuggling operation is lack of nation-wide communication system. The timely information about goods sneaking through jurisdiction of one Collectorate cannot be passed on to the next collectorate. This has played a key role in increasing smuggling of goods from one city to another.
No anti-smuggling strategy can be successful unless it is backed by a proper communication system. Presently, the inter-collectorate communication does not exist for anti-smuggling purposes. Each Customs House should have a control room having HF system. A message from one collectorate to another be passed on HF system and then, within that collectorate, it can be disseminated on VHF system. Within the collectorates, VHF system with effective range of around 100 km would be sufficient. The communication needed from customs station to Customs House; customs station to check-posts; check-post to Customs House and between check-posts is needed, sources added.
It is important to mention that an anti-smuggling strategy was also devised during the tenure of former member Customs, which failed to check smuggling. Now, a new, likely effective strategy has been finalised on the recommendation of the task force headed by DG Intelligence and Investigation Major General Usman Ali Shah.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2007

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