Top officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) today held high-level talks with the top leadership of law enforcement agencies in Quetta, agreeing to intensify collective efforts against smuggling in Balochistan and enhance border management.
The initiative was part of a two-day official visit on the 8th and 9th of January by Syed Shakeel Shah, FBR’s Member for Customs Operations, and Mr. Basit Maqsood Abbasi, Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement, to the regional Customs House.
Upon their arrival, the senior FBR officials were briefed by regional customs chiefs, including Mr. Masood Ahmed and Dr. Karam Elahi, on local trade dynamics, ongoing anti-smuggling campaigns, and significant revenue gains achieved through intelligence-based operations and stricter enforcement.
A delegation from the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry also presented their trade-related concerns to the visiting leadership. The FBR officials reportedly issued on-the-spot directives for the swift resolution of the issues raised by the business community.
A key component of the visit was a courtesy meeting with the Corps Commander Quetta, which was followed by an interactive session with the Inspector General Frontier Corps (North and South), the Director General of Pakistan Coast Guards, and the Chief of Staff.
Discussions during this security-focused session concentrated on strengthening inter-agency coordination to better facilitate legitimate cross-border commerce while simultaneously intensifying joint operations against illegal smuggling activities.
In a symbolic gesture reflecting the FBR”s commitment to environmental stewardship, the senior leadership planted saplings at the Customs House. They also inaugurated two newly established Customs Enforcement sections during their visit.
Concluding their tour, the FBR leadership expressed appreciation for the performance of Pakistan Customs formations in Balochistan, acknowledging their effective role in curbing smuggling and improving revenue collection.