ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: The customs department has proposed the establishment of central command centre (CCC) and specialized wing for investigation and prosecution (WIP) to effectively control smuggling that causes huge losses to the national kitty every year. Officials told Dawn on Tuesday that the proposed centre would prepare anti-smuggling strategies, development of criteria for the selection of officer and staff, training strategy, creation of pool of informer, database of anti-smuggling seizures, confiscations and sales.

The officials said that the then member customs, Ramzan Bhatti had already conducted a study report on smuggling in Pakistan that envisaged a series of recommendations for the elimination of the menace. It was observed that a number of organizations had been delegated powers to perform anti-smuggling activities independently and there was no coordination and exchange of information amongst them.

Moreover, there was no policy regarding recruitment, training and reward system. The lack of coordination and networking gave a freehand to smugglers, Mr Bhatti claimed in his study report. Mr Bhatti had suggested the creation of a special wing of investigation and prosecution, as most of anti-smuggling cases failed in original criminal courts or appellate courts.

On the other hand, the director-general of customs intelligence also proposed the creation of a post of a member enforcement having DG North and South and four directors. He also suggested the placement of all staff of customs collectorates and customs intelligence under the member enforcement and the creation of elite anti-smuggling units. The units would react immediately on receipt of information on smuggling attempts.

The government had already constituted a federal anti-smuggling coordination committee for suggesting measures to control the menace of smuggling.