PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Ahmed Rasool Bangash announced on Wednesday that, in light of the decision made in the recent Provincial Apex Committee meeting held in the provincial capital, the Excise Department has initiated a comprehensive crackdown on non-customs paid vehicles across the province.
This operation aligns with the government’s multifaceted efforts to combat not only narcotics but also the smuggling of vehicles.
Smuggling of Non-Customs Paid Vehicle
Minister Bangash emphasized the Excise Department’s determination to take strict action against the smuggling of non-customs paid vehicles, in addition to its ongoing fight against narcotics. As part of this operation, Excise officers recently intervened to thwart an attempt to smuggle such vehicles.
In a significant operation that culminated in a high-speed chase, the smuggler put up fierce resistance and attempted to escape. However, under the supervision of Assistant Excise Officer Aakif Khan, the Excise team successfully apprehended the smuggler and seized the non-customs paid vehicle.
While pursuing the smuggler, there was an exchange of gunfire between the Excise police and the suspect. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the Excise police managed to control the situation by firing at the vehicle’s tires, bringing it to a halt.
The Director General of Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akmal Khan Khattak, has expressed his strong commitment to intensify the crackdown on non-customs paid vehicles in the province in line with the directives of the Provincial Apex Committee.
