Although Director General, Intelligence & Investigation, Inland Revenue (I&I-IR) FBR has constituted special teams to avert smuggling of electronic goods and IT equipment from Dubai, the teams have no powers to mount vigilance in the airport, it is learnt on Friday. According to sources, the powers to take action against tax evaders bringing goods through illegal channels from Dubai were lying in the ambit of customs intelligence.
Therefore, special teams, which have no such powers, are facing immense difficulties and being forced to mount vigilance outside airport premises, which the sources termed as unfruitful.
Sources were of the view that formation of special teams to avert smuggling of electronic goods and IT equipment from Dubai won't yield fruit but it had created pressure at customs intelligence agency to show performance.
Replying to a question, sources said the department had earlier received information that unscrupulous elements were planning to bring home appliances, IT equipment and entertainment/lifestyle products, etc, purchased from "GITEX Shopper" Dubai World Trade Centre from April 1-4, 2015 in the country through air shipment. "Now, we have reports that the same will be cleared at one of the three dry ports - Hyderabad, Faisalabad and Lahore."
Sources said although they were facing similar jurisdictional issues at dry ports, all the arrangements were made beyond the limits of customs intelligence agency. They apprised that smugglers might attempt to get the said consignment cleared from Lahore dry port.
Sources further said the I&I-IR FBR after experiencing jurisdictional issues had decided to request the federal government in its budget proposal 2015-16 to grant special powers to its officers, which could only be exercised in special cases like aforesaid case.
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