Customs field formation launched

ISLAMABAD: FBR Member Customs Operation Junaid Jalil Khan has said a decision has been taken to shift responsibility of enforcement across the country.

In an interview to this correspondent, he said enforcement responsibility will be taken away from Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and would be given to Customs Field Formation, which has been launched.

He said reports of dismantling Directorate General of Customs Intelligence were baseless. The directorate will be empowered to carry out its responsibilities across the country, he added. He refuted news that orders had been issued to dismantle check-posts. He also denied closing down offices of Customs Intelligence, adding reports about irregularities and involvement in smuggling were completely false. He clarified Directorate General of Intelligence was not being shut down, and there was no question mark on its performance. He said FBR is devolving the responsibility of enforcement of Customs rules from Intelligence to Customs Field Formation across Pakistan. Answering a question, Junaid Jalil Khan said two organisations were currently working to prevent smuggling. Due to duplication, prevention of smuggling is not so effective, he stated. A special campaign will be launched to prevent smuggling within the country, he informed. The Directorate of Customs Intelligence will continue to perform its core function, he said, adding it will remain responsible for alerting and taking action against smugglers.