KARACHI: Pakistan Customs authorities have tightened security arrangements in and around the Customs House, Karachi owing to general threat by the anti-state elements to national assets.
The exterior walls of Customs House have been covered by placing the containers and Preventive Officers along with sepoys have been deployed at the entry and exit gates of Customs House.
A force of Preventive Officers and Senior Preventive Officers has also been deployed within the premises of Customs House, who were checking the identity cards of any visitors, who visited Customs House.
Customs officials do not allow any visitor except high Customs officer, clearing agents and importers to enter the premises of Customs House due to security concerns. Even if the visitors are ready to deposit their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and any other valid documents like driving license at the entry gate for admission.
Authorities concerned have also made it mandatory that the Customs officials and clearing agents should wear their cards as long as they remain in the premises of Customs House.
Earlier, a high level meeting was held at Customs House to review the security arrangements and make them more effective.
Chief Collector of Enforcement-South Muhammad Nazim Saleem, Collector MCC Preventive Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, Anti-Narcotics Force Director Brigadier Muhammad Abuzar, Additional Collector Shafqat Ali Khan Niazi, Assistant Collector Muhammad Wasif Malik, Pakistan Rangers and Sindh Police officials were also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, it was decided that the security arrangements in and around the Customs House would be made more effective in order to avoid any untoward incident keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation.
It was further decided that Pakistan Rangers and Sindh police officials would also provide security assistance to the Customs officials around the Customs House, while the officials of security agencies would also make surveillance in and around Customs House in plain clothes.