Paramilitary forces granted authority to enforce anti-smuggling measures

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has authorized the Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to exercise anti-smuggling powers at Inter-Provincial Joint Check-Posts (IPJCPs) with the aim of preventing the illegal transportation of essential commodities. A formal notification has been issued to implement this directive.

These Inter-Provincial Joint Check-Posts (IPJCPs) and joint checkpoints have been designated for the purpose of upholding laws against the smuggling and hoarding of essential goods such as sugar, urea, wheat, and wheat flour. This entails cooperation between Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps, and customs officials stationed at these check posts.

The IPJCPs and JCPs managed by the customs department, in conjunction with Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps, will work together to combat the smuggling of essential and other vulnerable commodities both within Pakistan and across its borders. This initiative will be in effect from November 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Oil smuggling attempts foiled

As per the new notification, the FBR has delegated authority to officers from the Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps Balochistan (North/South), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North/South) to combat the smuggling of unauthorized goods (excluding essential commodities). These functions will be carried out within a 50-kilometer radius of the international borders and at the designated Inter-Provincial Joint Check Posts (IPJCPs) and Joint Check Posts (JCPs) determined by the Ministry of Interior.

However, these powers do not extend to city municipal limits, customs areas, customs stations, ports, border customs stations, international airports, and bonded warehouses, among other specified areas.

Furthermore, the FBR has extended the authority of officers from the Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps (Balochistan North/South and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa North/South) to enforce anti-smuggling measures for the prevention of essential commodity smuggling in bordering districts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including areas within city municipal limits and designated Inter-Provincial Joint Check Posts (IPJCPs) and Joint Check Posts (JCPs) identified by the Ministry of Interior.