FROM: EBRAHIM EDVANI 15/08/1998

THE EDITOR

LETTERS TO EDITOR

DAWN

DEAR SIR:

SMUGGLED FABRICS

FURTHER TO THE LETTER BY SALMAN MUNAWAR PUBLISHED IN THE AUGUST 13, 1998 EDITION, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT MY VIEWS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:

• THERE IS NO SINCERITY IN GOVERNMENT POLICIES REGARDING ELIMINATING SMUGGLING AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS HIGH INFLUENCE OF THE SMUGGLERS AND THEIR PATRONS.
• THE LAXITY IN CUSTOMS VIGILANCE AND THE FAVOURABLE CORRUPTION OPPORTUNITIES BOOST THE MORALE OF SMUGGLERS.
• THE POLITICAL PARTIES ALSO ARE GUILTY FOR NOT RAISING THIS ISSUE CONVINCINGLY AND THUS SMUGGLING PROLIFERATES.
• THE CBR OFFICIALS ONLY ISSUE STRATEGIC NOTIFICATIONS ON SMUGGLING BUT THEN RESORT TO CLOSING THEIR EYES WHEN THEIR SUBORDINATES ALLOW CLEARANCE OF SMUGGLED GOODS FROM THE AIRPORTS, SEAPORTS, OR DRY PORTS.
• THE RESORT TO FIXED SALES TAX GIVES RETAILERS THE LEEWAY TO SELL NON-DUTY PAID GOODS.
• THE DESIRE BY CONSUMERS TO PREFER FOREIGN GOODS GIVES IMPETUS TO SMUGGLERS AND RETAILERS TO PROMOTE SMUGGLED GOODS.
• THE POLICY OF CONSTRUCTION MAGNATES TO ENCOURAGE SALE OF SMUGGLED GOODS IN THEIR PLAZAS AND SHOPPING CENTRES IS A PRIME REASON FOR INCREASE IN AREAS WHERE SMUGGLED GOODS ARE SOLD.
• THE LAW ENFORCING PERSONNEL ARE SELDOM CONCERNED WITH TACKLING THIS ISSUE AND THEY CONCENTRATE ON OTHER ISSUES.
• PREFERENCE FOR SMUGGLED FOREIGN GOODS IS UNPATRIOTIC, CRIMINAL, AND UNJUST.

THE FOLLOWING MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO CURB SMUGGLING:

• STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL AGENDA OF PRIME MINISTER.
• ESTABLISHMENT OF ANTI-SMUGGLING OMBUDSMAN OFFICE (RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE) SO THAT CITIZENS CAN SEND COMPLAINTS, INFORMATION, AND TIPS ON CORRUPT CUSTOM OFFICIALS OR WHERE SMUGGLED GOODS ARE SOLD.
• SETTING UP OF A PRIVATE/PUBLIC ORGANIZATION ON THE PATTERN OF CITIZEN-POLICE LIAISON COMMITTEE WHICH WILL ACT AS AN ACTIVE VIGILANCE FORCE AGAINST SMUGGLERS AND STORES THAT SELL SMUGGLED GOODS.
• ALL SEIZED SMUGGLED GOODS MUST BE BURNT AND NOT SOLD THROUGH CUSTOM AUCTIONS, UTILITY STORES, OR CSD STORES AT ANY COST. THE TREASURY HAS NOT PAID FOR THESE ITEMS AND EVEN THOUGH GOVERNMENT MAY LOSE REVENUE, ALLOWING THE AVAILABILITY OF FOREIGN GOODS WILL CONTINUE TO BE LIKE REGULARLY PROVIDING HEROIN TO ADDICTS.
• LUCRATIVE INCENTIVES AND AWARDS MUST BE OFFERED TO CUSTOM OFFICIALS WHO SEIZE SMUGGLED GOODS.
• DOSSIERS AND PROFILES ON KNOWN SMUGGLERS, COURIERS, AND TOUTS BE PREPARED AND PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AT ENTRY POINTS.
• HIGHLY PUBLICIZED RAIDS ON STORES AND BARA MARKETS MUST BE CONDUCTED BY LAW ENFORCING AGENCIES, AND EVEN CONSUMERS PURCHASING SMUGGLED PRODUCTS MUST BE ARRESTED.
• ELECTRONIC AND PRINT MEDIA SHOULD INITIATE AWARENESS PROGRAMS TO DISCOURAGE PAKISTANIS FROM BUYING FOREIGN GOODS.
• THE PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN SHOULD BECOME THE LEADING CRUSADER AGAINST SMUGGLERS AND MUST USE THE PRESIDENCY AS A RALLYING POINT.
• PAKISTANIS MUST PATRONIZE PAKISTANI PRODUCTS.

SINCERELY YOURS: