FBR Abolishes Customs Intelligence Department

FBR-Federal Bureau of Revenue, the law enforcement agency which works under the Ministry of Finance. They primarily focus on investigating tax crimes, money-laundering, and mistrustful wealth accumulation. The most significant role of FBR is the collection of tax from all the individuals throughout the country.

Abolishment of CI

On October 23, 2024, FBR disbanded certain responsibilities of the Customs Intelligence Department which is a branch of it. The authority of the Customs Intelligence Department is to enforce custom regulations and prevent smuggling. Due to the issues with their performances and the allegations over the illegal and smuggling activities. The chairman of FBR, Rashid Mahmood Langrial issued the notifications with a new organisational structure.

What was in the notification?

• All the powers of the Customs Intelligence has been rendered to the Director General Enforcement. 
• The anti-smuggling powers, staff and all the warehouses are surrendered to DGE.
• The offices of Customs Intelligence which are located in Rawalpindi, Multan, Hyderabad, and Gwadar have been shut down previously. The remaining offices will be closed within 10 to 15 days.
• Immediate transfer of all cases and records to DG before the deadline, November 12.
• Customs Intelligence has no power to conduct raids and sting operations.

The colossal restructure of the Customs Intelligence department was initiated in July under the directions of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif 27 high-ranking officials had been thrown out by FBR.