MULTAN: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has given final approval to set up Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation in Multan.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigations was functioning under the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad but the FBR has upgraded the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Office into Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation.
The decision for the establishment of Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation in Multan has been taken after comprehensive discussion to curtail smuggling in the area because rampant smuggling attempts were made through Punjab Baluchistan of Dera Ghazi Khan region and Sindh Punjab border of Sadiqabad area.
Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan will enhance focus on the provincial entrance points to curtail smuggling of offended goods and non-customs paid vehicles. The authority of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation will be shifted to Multan and Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad will turn into Range Office after the up gradation.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation is facing huge challenge of smuggling from cross the borders in the widely spread jurisdiction of South Punjab and Customs Intelligence has devised new effective strategy to combat against smuggling. The purpose of setting up Directorate Office in Multan is to enhance the monitoring of suspected routes to prevent smuggling.
Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Jurisdiction comprised of 15 various Districts of Punjab including Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, PakPattan, Vehari, Lodhran ,Bahwalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajan Pur, Faisalabad and Sargodha.
Deputy Director was operating Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Office now and after the establishment of Directorate Director, additional director will administrate from Multan instead of Faisalabad and deputy director will operate the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Range Office Faisalabad.
Chief Account Officer will also perform its responsibilities from newly established Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan.
It is necessary to mention here that Director Zulfiqar Younas has visited Multan to check arrangements for the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation. The whole setup of Faisalabad Directorate will be shifted very soon to perform their responsibilities after its functioning.