After Prime Minister notice, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed its officials to prevent the smuggling of food items.

FBR has issued strict instructions to the Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation Customs, Islamabad, and Chief Collector of Customs, Baluchistan, Quetta, and Chief Collector of Customs, North, Islamabad to implement the directions of the Prime Minister regarding prevention of smuggling of food items out of the country.

The Prime Minister has taken a serious notice of the shortage of food items i.e. wheat/wheat flour, sugar, maize, maida, poultry, fresh fruits, vegetables, and livestock, etc. in the country.

The Prime Minister has directed that all efforts may be made to control the smuggling of these food items out of the country. The Federal Government has introduced Covid-19 (Prevention of Smuggling) Ordinance-2020 to empower law enforcement agencies to stop the smuggling of food items, FBR added.

FBR has directed Pakistan Customs to deploy all their possible resources for the said task and make all endeavors in their areas of jurisdiction to control the smuggling, especially of food items. The customs authorities are further directed to keep close liaison with law enforcement agencies. FBR has directed to ensure strict vigilance at the time of clearance of export consignments to thwart any attempt of mis-declaration/smuggling of these items in the garb of normal items.

FBR has directed Directorate General of I & I-Customs and Chief Collectors to submit the detail of steps taken and achieved results with the board and a fortnightly report on the 1st and 16th of every month may be sent by highlighting anti-smuggling performance in their areas.