Training for anti-smuggling drive begins

LAHORE: The first batch of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Lahore inspectors and sepoys began their month long exercise with Scouts Training Academy, Warsak on Monday.

The training is part of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Custom wing initiative to improve the performance of staff and counter smuggling. The need of the training was highlighted during the recent integrated anti-smuggling campaign, an initiative of the FBR chairman.

A custom official said the campaign had brought good results.

As the role of the Customs Department was fast changing, with more focus on enforcement and anti-smuggling, the need to train and build the capacity of the staff was felt necessary to optimise performance.

In this regard, MCC, Lahore made arrangements with Scouts Training Academy Warsak, and Zulfiqar Younas, Collector of Customs Preventive, sent the first batch of Customs field staff comprising 10 inspectors and 15 sepoys to Warsak.

“Once the first batch completes training, the next batch would be ready to follow and in the next 18 months, the entire work force would be trained and deployed to participate in anti-smuggling operations,” Zulfiqar Younas said. 

The performance evaluation done by the trainers would be taken into account while deploying the trained staff in various field formations. Besides physical and weapon handling training, few training sessions on Customs law enforcement would also be conducted at Warsak Academy with the collaboration of MCC, Peshawar.  At the time of their departure, senior officers of the Collectorate were also present.