Customs constitutes teams to seize smuggled vehicles

KARACHI: In pursuance of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s directives in Balochistan law and order case, Pakistan Customs has constituted three teams to impound smuggled and unregistered vehicles plying on the roads, said officials on Thursday.
Khawar Farid Manika, collector of Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive), constituted the teams, which will be headed by Inamullah Khan Wazir, assistant collector, said an official at Pakistan Customs.

“All the teams have been assigned to ensure seizing the smuggled and non-paid duty or unregistered vehicles plying on the roads,” said official, adding that one team is especially assigned to monitor the vehicles’ movement during night, because it was informed that most of the people possessing such vehicles ply them on the roads during night to escape from customs monitoring.

The official said that the customs authorities would also recommend rewards for people who give information about such vehicles.

Pakistan Customs has initiated the recovery of such vehicles on the directives of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and for complying with the Supreme Court’s order dated October 11, and interim order dated October 12, in which the apex court has directed the taxation authorities to impound the smuggled vehicles.

The customs authorities said that around 19 luxury vehicles have been impounded so far. The seized vehicles during November 6-8, included three Toyota Land Cruisers, one Mercedes Benz, one Mitsubishi Pajero and three Toyota Hiace.

Till November 5, the authorities had impounded 11 luxury vehicles.

In the Balochistan case, the Federal Board of Revenue has informed the apex court that around 433 vehicles, including motorcycles have been impounded as customs duty was not paid by the owners.

In its order on October 11, the apex court said that such vehicles are being used for criminal activities by the culprits going on in Balochistan on account of which the law and order situation is deteriorating by each passing day.

The FBR informed the court that data of around 33,000 vehicles is being collected in respect of non-customs paid vehicles and assured the apex court to confiscate all such vehicles.

“The customs department shall do the needful within the period of three weeks and submit the report to the registrar of this court for our perusal in the chambers,” remarked court.

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