Pakistan Customs destroyed confiscated smuggled goods valued at nearly Rs800 million during a destruction ceremony held at the Islamabad Dry Port in H-9/4 on Tuesday, underscoring its continued campaign against illegal trade and smuggling.
The destroyed items, including liquor, mobile phones, cigarettes, food products and other prohibited goods, were disposed of after all legal requirements had been fulfilled in accordance with applicable customs laws.
Chief Collector of Customs (Enforcement) Basit Maqsood Abbasi, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest, said Pakistan Customs remained committed to a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and would continue nationwide enforcement operations to curb the illegal movement of goods. He noted that smuggling inflicted significant financial losses on the national exchequer while damaging legitimate businesses, domestic industries and the broader economy.
Abbasi said the customs department would further strengthen border management, expand intelligence-based enforcement and ensure the strict implementation of customs laws. He added that authorities would continue efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and bring those involved in illicit trade to justice. He also commended the enforcement performance of the Islamabad Collectorate and urged its officers to carry out their duties with honesty, professionalism and integrity.
Collector of Customs (Enforcement), Islamabad, Rizwan Salabat said the collectorate remained firmly committed to eradicating smuggling within its jurisdiction. He said intelligence-led operations were being intensified, coordination with other law enforcement agencies was being strengthened, and surveillance measures were being enhanced to counter illegal trade more effectively.
Salabat added that the collectorate would continue pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of smuggling and would take strict legal action against those engaged in illicit commercial activities.
The ceremony was attended by officers and officials of the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Islamabad. It concluded with the destruction of the confiscated goods, reflecting Pakistan Customs’ determination to enforce customs laws, protect the national economy and sustain its anti-smuggling drive through effective enforcement measures.