Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday announced its decision to launch a nationwide operation against the smuggling of scheduled items, a news source reported. To this effect, the taxation agency will initiate the crackdown as part of the COVID-19 (Prevention of Smuggling) Ordinance 2020, which lists the transportation of scheduled items out of the country as a crime.
The government introduced the said ordinance as a measure for ensuring food security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as promoting trade activity. To this effect, the FBR has launched a crackdown against the smuggling of:
Foreign currency
Sugar
Salt
Pulses
Potatoes
Onions
Wheat
Rice
Gur
All flours
Maize
Edible oil
Livestock
Chemical fertilisers
Therapeutic goods (under Section 2 (XXXVI) of DRAP Act 2012)
As part of its anti-smuggling measures, the executive has already empowered law enforcement agencies in the country. Meanwhile, the FBR would dispose all registered cases within a period of one month, in addition to introducing a 10-year prison sentence for culprits. On the other hand, informants would receive a 10% incentive from the government.
