FBR Streamlines Customs Operations to Strengthen Anti-Smuggling Efforts

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has refined the roles of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (Customs) and the newly established Directorate General of Enforcement (Customs) to remove overlapping duties.

On Sunday, the FBR addressed recent media claims suggesting a shift in the role and performance of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (Customs), clarifying that these reports were inaccurate. The Directorate's responsibilities remain unchanged, and recent updates are part of the FBR transformation plan approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

This reorganization is designed to eliminate redundancy, consolidating enforcement tasks to focus anti-smuggling efforts within a unified structure while retaining the Directorate’s core functions.

Only specific regional offices, now deemed unnecessary under the updated structure, will close, with staff reassigned to support Enforcement setups, bolstering anti-smuggling initiatives. The Directorate has consistently excelled in intercepting smuggled goods and recovering unpaid revenue.

Despite limited resources, with only 293 personnel nationwide, the Directorate has made significant strides by collaborating closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies, enhancing its ability to enforce anti-smuggling measures.

The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (DG I&I) Customs remains central to the Customs framework and has been further empowered with additional technical resources and authority to conduct sting operations in cases of suspected Customs Act violations. With enhanced data access, DG I&I can now initiate targeted operations more effectively.

Recognizing the challenges of a vast anti-smuggling jurisdiction and a shortage of personnel, a collaborative strategy has been introduced through this transformation. The FBR reaffirms the Directorate’s commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s economy by combating smuggling.