ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization Islamabad (ASO) has been divided into three squads which are working round-the-clock in three different shifts (Shift-A, Shift-B and Shift-C). Due to this new administrative measure, the performance of the ASO is increasing day by day. The ASO Islamabad seized smuggled goods and NDP vehicles worth Rs27.00million during 15th of July to 21st of July Financial Year FY2017-18. Currently, the ASO Islamabad confiscated as much smuggled goods in a week as were seized during the corresponding period in the whole month.
This was stated by Deputy Collector ASO Ansir Anees while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today.
She said she had recomposed the ASO squad in three shifts under the supervision of senior superintendents. The Shift-A is headed by Superintendent Rana Shakeel, Shift-B is working under Superintendent Nasir Barlas and Shift-C is working under the supervision of Arif Dar.
After the formation of three different shifts, now staff of the ASO can perform its duties without workload and get proper rest after duty hours. She said that, during 15th to 21st of July FY17-18, the ASO Islamabad impounded goods and vehicles valued at Rs27.00million. During said period, the ASO confiscated 954 kilogram of foreign origin fabric, 24,264 kilogram of food grains, 999 kilogram of tea, 30 number of tyres, 987 number of auto parts, 42 number of ally rims, 4,659 number of electronic goods and many other miscellaneous smuggled goods.
She told that, during 1st to 20th of July FY16-17, the ASO showed satisfactory performance by confiscating a huge quantity of smuggled goods and offending vehicles (Vehicles used for carrying smuggle goods). During said period, the ASO impounded two Non-Duty-Paid (NDP) vehicles, 12 offending vehicles, 1,942 kilogram of foreign origin fabric, 24,264 kilogram of food grains, 1,824 kilogram of tea, 123 tyres and tubes, 987 auto parts, 42 ally rims, 50 cartons of fake foreign origin cigarettes, 4,665 electronic goods and many other foreign origin smuggled goods worth Rs39.121million.
The Deputy Collector ASO Islamabad added that, during corresponding financial year, the performance has also been successful. The performance of ASO of Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad was quite satisfactory during FY2016-17 as compared to the corresponding Financial Year 2015-16.
According to further details given by her during Financial Year 2016-17, the ASO Islamabad impounded 144 offending vehicles valued at Rs153.200million whereas it did 156 offending vehicles worth Rs141.300million. During FY2016-17, the ASO Islamabad took into possession 86 NDP vehicles valued at Rs157.106million while it impounded 28 NDP vehicles during FY15-16 worth Rs60.163million.
She further said that, during FY2016-17, the ASO registered 395 cases against smuggled goods’ possessors worth Rs193.00million which showed its good performance. Under the guidance of Collector Dr. Arslan and Chief Collector North Sarwat Tahira Habib, the ASO has geared up its efforts to make more and more seizures against the tax evaders and possessors of the NDP vehicles from the starting of the current Financial Year 2017-18.