The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said that it had seized smuggled goods worth Rs35 billion from July to January during the current financial year in comparison to Rs22 billion goods seized during the period of last financial year, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

The FBR said vehicles sans paying customs duty worth Rs11.3 billion were seized in the current financial year while the FBR also seized smuggled clothes worth Rs1.9 billion, chhalia worth Rs3.4 billion and cigarettes worth Rs553 million.

Meanwhile, auto parts worth Rs492 million were seized by the FBR, electronic items worth Rs380 million, diesel worth Rs899 million and jewelery worth Rs. 271.1 million. 

Pakistan Customs also seized six million tonnes of iodine, which is used to make illicit drugs. The FBR further said that this raid has also been praised by international agencies. 

The apex-tax collection body also sealed 2,000 illegal petrol pumps across the country. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday commended the development of a Track and Trace (T&T) system for specific sectors to plug loopholes and enhance revenue collection in the country.

The premier appreciated the FBR for achieving its seven-month revenue targets and anti-smuggling measures. “I commend FBR Field Formations on achieving 7-months revenue targets by undertaking bold tax audit and enforcement, and counter-smuggling measures. They must continue working with honesty and commitment.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan further tweeted, “Also commend FBR Headoffice Team for developing the IT-enabled Transformation Plan & procuring cutting-edge Track & Trace System. Once fully functional in July 2021, it would add 100s of billions of additional revenue, curb counterfeiting and help establish rule of law.”