By Our Correspondent
LAHORE, Pakistan – The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Lahore, headed by Collector Muhammad Saeed Watto on the directions of Chief Collector Abdul Basit, has set a new benchmark in customs enforcement during the July–November period of 2025.
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The enforcement team executed 170 seizures with a CIF value of Rs4.505 billion, compared to 82 seizures worth Rs1.554 billion in the same period last year, reflecting a 106.1% increase in the number of seizures and a 189.6% surge in value.
High-value goods intercepted include cigarettes, POL products, gold, electronics, mobile phones, food grains, fabrics, and miscellaneous items. Key highlights include:
• Cigarettes: 7.07 million sticks seized, up 56% in quantity and 134% in value from last year’s 4.52 million sticks worth Rs186 million.
• POL products: Significant increases in seizures and value, reflecting stricter monitoring of petroleum-related smuggling.
• Food grains and fabrics: Sharp growth in intercepted volumes, protecting the local market from illegal trade.
Auction proceeds from seized goods amounted to Rs1.148 billion, a 291% increase from Rs293.29 million during July–November 2024–25. This substantial growth underscores the effectiveness of strategic enforcement and auction management under Collector Watto’s leadership.
Chief Collector Abdul Basit lauded the team for their dedication, professionalism, and operational coordination, emphasizing that the record-breaking results were a combined effort of strategy and diligence.
Collector Muhammad Saeed Watto said, “These results prove that a focused, well-coordinated customs enforcement strategy not only deters smuggling but also significantly contributes to national revenue. Our team’s commitment to integrity and efficiency remains our guiding principle.”
The performance highlights the Collectorate’s pivotal role in strengthening Pakistan’s trade framework, safeguarding lawful commerce, and enhancing economic stability.
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