LAHORE: Under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, FBR has full powers to seek import documents for the imported goods available for sale to consumers from the person dealing in such goods.
These views were expressed by Director General Customs Intelligence & Investigation Muhammad Zahid Khokhar.
He said this exercise does not represent ‘raid’ on the premises or any coercive action against the traders. The purpose of this exercise is only to ensure that relevant import documents are available and foreign goods available for sale are properly backed by documents.
It has further been decided that such exercises will be undertaken on ‘test’ check basis. All teams will be conducting respective identification as being officially designated and the team will be headed by a senior person. In case if for any reason such documents are not readily available at the shops/offices then teams will provide adequate opportunity to submit the document in the respective offices/shops after reasonable time, he added.
He said Member Customs (Operations) and Member (IR-Operations) have been directed to supervise the activity and provide complete assistance to the Joint Teams wherever required. Director General (Intelligence & Investigation) Customs and Director General (Intelligence & Investigation)-Inland Revenue have also been directed to constitute Joint Teams, he added.