Purchase of nine helicopters proposed
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
By Azhar Mahmood
KARACHI: Director General of Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue has submitted a proposal for the purchase of nine helicopters and sophisticated weapons for carrying out anti-smuggling activities at border areas.
Out of nine helicopters, six would be stationed at Karachi and three at Quetta. The FBR, for the last five years, has been carrying out a number of studies to curb the ever-growing smuggling.
The DG has specifically named Bell Helicopters as one of the most-needed in order to monitor the hilly areas of Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
Sources said in a bid to conduct anti-smuggling operation at sea, the director general had requested for 37 high-speed boats, radar system, night navigation devices, vehicles and modern communication equipment for the collectorates.
The Pakistan Customs was equipped with high-speed boats in mid-eighties, but due to non-provision of required funds for the boats, these turned into liabilities.
At present, anti-smuggling operation at sea is not being conducted practically because of non-availability of required facilities.
Sources said the anti-smuggling strategy sent to the FBR suggested following measures.
First, the locals of FATA and PATA should be provided jobs on priority basis so that the poor of these areas could be disengaged from smugglers. Once they are disengaged, the enforcement process would be started.
Second, Customs stations or check-posts should be established at popular smuggling routes. These check-posts should be provided quick reaction mobile squads and some of the points in highly difficult terrains should be equipped with helicopters.
Finally, those inspectors and sepoys, who have attained the age of 50 years, should be replaced by offering them golden handshake.
The directorate suggested that young tribesmen must be recruited in the small and executive staff to carry out anti-smuggling operation.
Purchase of nine helicopters proposed