ISLAMABAD

Two key departments of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have decided to jointly initiate crackdown against the vehicles smugglers.
Customs Intelligence and Model Customs Collectorates Directorate General (DG) announced the decision in a recently held meeting. Sources have informed that it has also been decided to seek the support of the other law-enforcement agencies, including Frontier Constabulary, police, Motorway Police and National Highway Authority, in this connection.
They have disclosed that the FBR will also issue directions to its field formations on these joint operations.
They added that it would be for the first time that the Customs Intelligence and the Customs Collectorates would be joining hands against smugglers across the country. 
“These operations will stop smuggling, especially from Afghanistan, thus increasing the country’s revenues,” the sources claimed.
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NNI adds: Pakistan’s economy reportedly bears a burden worth Rs 300 billion every year due to smuggled tyres, diesel and mobile phones, among 11 different items.
Tax Reforms Commission (TRC) has issued an investigative report on the smuggled items, and the loss country’s economy suffers owing to the crime.
The report states that tyres, diesel, smuggled from Iran, mobile phones, clothes, auto parts, television sets, tea cigarettes and other items weigh around Rs 900 billion over the economy annually.
The smuggling of mobile phones, alone, costs the country Rs 100 billion loss, while diesel Rs 87 billion. The national exchequer has to endure losses worth Rs 17 billion due to vehicles smuggled from different countries.
The commission has recommended to the government to take strict measures to root-out smuggling from the country. The report has stressed the need for a closer collaboration between institutions, including the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR).
The commission has also called for a better accountability of the government departments.