Customs crackdown on petroleum smuggling continues nationwide

ISLAMABAD: Customs enforcement operations against smuggling of petroleum products in the country are ongoing.

According to officials, 1,442 illegal petrol pumps have been sealed across the country so far during these operations.

During raids in different areas, it was revealed that at least 134 pumps were selling petrol and other products without permission, against which immediate action was taken.

According to the documents, the crackdown on smuggling has yielded positive results and has led to a significant increase in the collection of Petroleum Development Levy.

In the first six months of the current fiscal year, Rs828 billion was collected as levy, which is Rs94 billion more than the set target. This increase is also significant compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

According to the report, a total of Rs706 billion was collected as petroleum levy during July-November. Of this, Rs146 billion was collected from legally sold fuel, while Rs138 billion was collected due to price hike. Officials say that strict monitoring and checking against smuggling have improved revenue.

As a result of the ongoing operations in all four provinces, a clear reduction in the sale of illegal petrol has been seen. According to customs officials, this campaign will continue in the future so that the elements that are damaging the country’s economy can be completely eliminated and legal business can be promoted.