The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed Pakistan Customs to further intensify anti-smuggling operations and accelerate the resolution of traders’ issues during a two-day inspection of customs formations in Balochistan, as part of broader efforts to curb illicit trade and strengthen legitimate import and export activity.
The inspection was led by Syed Shakeel Shah, Member (Customs Operations) at the FBR, accompanied by Basit Maqsood Abbasi, Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement Islamabad. The senior officials visited Customs House Quetta on January 8 and 9, where they conducted a detailed review of enforcement performance, revenue outcomes, and operational challenges faced by customs formations operating along some of Pakistan’s most sensitive trade corridors.
The visit came at a time when the government has renewed its focus on plugging revenue leakages and strengthening customs controls, particularly along the western borders with Iran and Afghanistan. These regions are considered vulnerable to smuggling due to porous borders, difficult terrain, and complex trade dynamics, making enforcement and coordination critical for safeguarding national revenue and domestic markets.
During detailed briefings at Customs House Quetta, officials were informed about ongoing intelligence-based enforcement operations, recoveries made through anti-smuggling drives, and coordinated actions across the jurisdictions of Quetta, Taftan, and Gaddani. According to the press release, customs teams have maintained sustained operations targeting illicit movement of goods, resulting in recoveries that have supported revenue collection while discouraging informal trade practices.
Trade dynamics specific to Balochistan were also discussed in depth, including operational and logistical challenges faced by importers and exporters using border crossings with Iran and Afghanistan. Customs officials highlighted the need to balance strict enforcement with facilitation measures to ensure that legitimate trade is not disrupted. The discussions reflected the complex role of customs authorities in maintaining border security while supporting lawful commercial activity in the province.
A delegation from the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry met the FBR leadership during the visit and raised several trade-related concerns. These included procedural delays, clearance issues, and operational bottlenecks affecting cross-border trade. In response, senior FBR officials issued on-the-spot directions for the resolution of these issues, signaling an intent to improve coordination with the business community and enhance trade facilitation alongside enforcement.
Customs authorities noted that strengthened enforcement measures have already contributed to improved revenue performance, while also curbing smuggling practices that distort domestic markets and undermine fair competition. Illicit trade not only erodes the tax base but also affects local industries by allowing untaxed goods to undercut formally imported or locally manufactured products.
As part of the visit, two new Customs Enforcement sections were inaugurated in Quetta to enhance on-ground monitoring and operational capacity. These new units are expected to strengthen surveillance, improve response times, and provide additional manpower to counter smuggling activities more effectively. The delegation also planted saplings at Customs House Quetta as part of an environmental initiative, reflecting an effort to promote sustainability alongside administrative reforms.
In a separate engagement, the FBR delegation met with the Corps Commander Quetta and held discussions with senior officials from the Frontier Corps North and South, Pakistan Coast Guards, and other law enforcement agencies. The meetings focused on inter-agency coordination, border management strategies, and joint operations against organized smuggling networks operating along both land and coastal borders.
Concluding the visit, the FBR leadership conducted a comprehensive review of Pakistan Customs’ performance in Balochistan, with particular emphasis on anti-smuggling outcomes and revenue collection. The review underscored the government’s reliance on tighter customs enforcement as a key pillar of fiscal consolidation, while also aiming to protect formal trade channels and support economic stability in border regions.
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