Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Sohail Ahmad has said that the government has provided tax relief to the tune of Rs 20 billion through amendments in the Finance Bill (2009-10) on the recommendations of the parliamentarians.
He was talking to Business Recorder here on Thursday on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking where contraband/confiscated goods including liquor, smuggled cigarettes and heroin were destroyed by Directorate of General Intelligence and Investigation at the State Warehouse Tarnol. FBR Chairman said that amended Finance Bill (2009-10) has provided concessions in duties and taxes of around Rs 20 billion to facilitate general public as well as business community.
Responding to a query, he was confident that the FBR has so far provisionally collected Rs 1100 billion against the downward revised target of Rs 1179 billion for 2008-09. In last days of June, usually Rs 30-40 billion have been collected every year. The FBR is making all out efforts to meet the target by the end of current.
To a question, he said that the FBR would not launch any amnesty scheme for the legalisation of non-duty paid smuggled cars. About taxation of stock exchanges, he said that stockbrokers have assured collection/deposit of the taxes under the new system. They have requested the FBR that inspectors should not be send to brokerage houses etc.
Sohail added that projects of data warehouse and integrated tax system would be implemented for exchange of taxes information electronically. Earlier, addressing the gathering he said that DG intelligence and Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Rawalpindi has shown excellent performance in confiscation of narcotics and contraband items despite limited resources.
The crime of narcotics smuggling is linked with the narco-money, which needs to be checked through joint efforts of all relevant agencies and support of the international organisations. A multi-prone strategy is needed with the help of international agencies to control this menace.
FBR Member Customs Munir Qureshi highlighted that proper training and latest equipment would help the customs department to effectively check smuggling of narcotics. Even with limited resources, customs officials have detected major cases where narcotics were concealed in hidden places.
Pakistan is fighting this war for the last many years, as international supply and demand of such narcotics has resulted in smuggling. At the time of start of illicit trade, international community provided maximum support against smuggling of narcotics. This support seemed to be gradually reduced with the passage of time.
Munir Qureshi referred to big cases where customs department has confiscated chemicals used in preparation of heroin etc at Karachi. Director General Intelligence and Investigation Sikandar Ahmed Rai said that geo-political environment of our country has put serious constraints on the agencies entrusted with anti-narcotics operations. Large swathes of our country are undergoing turbulent times.
However this is the time that we have to, without fail, take cognisance of this clear and present danger and think out a joint strategy to curb, curtail and eradicate abuse of drugs and trafficking from our society. He said urged to spearhead a strategy to combat this social economic problem of the country.
This strategy may include training, enhancement of our existing capacity and capability to take on this challenge. The directorate has devised a concept paper laying down the requirements of the organisation in terms of manpower and logistics which will enable the organisation to effectively contribute in the efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
Apart from the capacity and logistical issues and keeping in consideration the harmful effects of the abuse of drugs and trafficking on the body politic of our society the directorate has chalked out a holistic multi-pronged strategy to combat the menace.
This strategy on the one hand aims to curtail movement and use of drugs through intelligence based operations and on the other aims to raise the awareness level of the general public against the ill effects of drug usage. Furthermore being guardians of the economic frontiers of the country we need to strengthen our presence at the border entry and exit points. Senior customs officials including Nadir Khan Hoti, Muhammad Saleem and Dr Zubair Yusufani also spoke on the occasion.
During the ceremony, customs department burned over 4,500 kilograms of narcotics including heroine, Opium, Charas. Over 1745 bottles of liquor of foreign origin were completed destroyed through bulldozers. These narcotics were seized by Rawalpindi Customs at Benazir Bhutto International Air Port, Anti Smuggling operations in Rawalpindi Division and Islamabad, International Mail Offices in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and along Pakistan China Border in Northern Areas.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the FBR, Islamabad Police, Rawalpindi Police, Anti Narcotics Force, Local-Government representative. United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates and other consulates were represented through Drug Liaison Officers and their representatives. Certificates were awarded to the officers and staff for meritorious services for apprehending narcotics.
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