The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the anti-smuggling powers assigned to several law enforcement agencies until June 30, 2027, allowing personnel of the Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps, Pakistan Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency to perform specified Customs functions within their respective jurisdictions.
The FBR issued four notifications under Section 6 of the Customs Act, 1969, covering the Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Pakistan Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. The measures are aimed at strengthening enforcement against smuggling along Pakistan’s international borders and coastline.
Under the notification covering the Frontier Corps, the FBR has entrusted officers of the Frontier Corps Balochistan with specified Customs functions within their respective jurisdictions. A separate notification assigns certain Customs functions to the Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa North and South, primarily for anti-smuggling operations along international borders.
The powers assigned to Rangers and Frontier Corps personnel are to be exercised within 50 kilometers of international borders. However, their jurisdiction excludes city municipal limits, Customs areas, Customs stations, ports, Border Customs stations, international airports and bonded warehouses, among other specified locations.
The FBR has also authorized Pakistan Coast Guard personnel to exercise certain Customs functions, including the checking and seizure of goods suspected of being smuggled. Their powers will apply within 50 kilometers of the coastline, subject to similar exclusions covering ports, Customs areas, city municipal limits, international airports and other specified locations.
The Coast Guard notification, issued under Section 6 of the Customs Act, supersedes an earlier notification issued in July 2023 and will remain effective until June 30, 2027. Before its expiry, the Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement will submit a performance report to the FBR, which may extend the Coast Guard’s powers subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with the prescribed conditions.
The FBR has separately entrusted Pakistan Maritime Security Agency personnel with specified Customs enforcement functions under the Customs Act, including powers relating to the detention and seizure of goods. The notification supersedes the corresponding notification issued in July 2023 and takes effect immediately.
The FBR has directed PMSA personnel to exercise the assigned powers with due care and ensure that legitimate trade, imports and exports, as well as the general public, are not unnecessarily obstructed. The notifications collectively extend the role of law enforcement agencies in supporting Customs authorities in anti-smuggling operations through June 30, 2027.
