Anti-smuggling measures: FBR grants FC, Rangers powers

Powers given under Customs Act, will last till June 30, 2011.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has awarded greater anti-smuggling powers to Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan in an attempt to curb smuggling through the country’s western border. A notification issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has given these powers to the paramilitary forces under the Customs Act. The powers will last till June 30, 2011 and may be extended following an appraisal of the forces’ performance.

The paramilitary forces now have the ability to arrest suspicious individuals and search locations without warrants. The forces can search and arrest individuals who may be suspected of smuggling platinum, gold, silver, currency, gemstones or any items that are forbidden under the law. The suspects will have to be presented before a magistrate or special judge before a set time period.

The forces’ jurisdiction will lie within 20 kilometres of the country’s borders and not extend to cities, customs posts or stations or international airports.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2010.