Raza Kazmi
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has released the provisional revenue collection figures for the months July-December of current Financial Year 2021-22. According to the provisional information, FBR has collected net revenue of Rs.2,920 billion during July-December of current Financial Year 2021-22, which has exceeded the target of Rs.2,633 billion by Rs. 287 billion.
This represents a growth of about 32.5 percent over the collection of Rs.2,204 billion during the same period, last year.
The net collection for the month of December, 2021 realized Rs. 600 billion representing an increase of 18.0 percent over Rs. 509 billion collected in December, 2020. These figures would further improve before the close of the day and after book adjustments have been taken in to account.
On the other hand, the gross collections increased from Rs.2,315 billion during July-December, 2020 to Rs.3,068 billion in current Financial Year July-December, 2021, showing an increase of 32.5 percent. Likewise, the amount of refunds disbursed was Rs.148 billion during July-December, 2021 compared to Rs.111 billion paid last year, showing an increase of 33.0 per cent.
Meanwhile, accomplishing a result-oriented anti-smuggling operation due to enhanced vigilance on all export consignments, the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Quetta seized illegal urea fertilizers worth Rs.7.2 million being smuggled to Afghanistan.
Divulging the details of the action, Federal Board of Revenue stated that upon receipt of credible information of a huge quantity of urea fertilizers being smuggled to Afghanistan from Customs Stations, Chaman in the garb of fresh vegetables, the Assistant Collector, Custom House, Chaman formed a team to ensure an effective execution of the information. A 10-wheelers HINO truck was intercepted and its thorough examination led to the recovery of urea fertilizers tactfully concealed under the cover load of fresh vegetables (potatoes). A total of 480 bags of fertilizer urea, each weighing 50 kg were concealed under the cover load of 80 gunny bags of potatoes. The total value of the seizure was Rs.7.2 million.
FIR against the exporters and clearing agent has already been lodged and one person has been arrested. Further investigation is underway to unearth all those involved in the case. All the export consignments are being closely monitored. It is pertinent to mention that Federal Board of Revenue is following a policy of zero tolerance against smuggling and thereby has increased vigilance and surveillance of cargo movement across the border.
Finance Minister, Shaukat Tarin, has commended FBR for its successful anti-smuggling drive across Pakistan. Likewise, Chairman FBR/Secretary Revenue Division, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed has appreciated Member Customs (Operations) FBR, Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, in ensuring zero tolerance against smuggling of all shades and grades. He further reiterated his unflinching resolve to fight the menace of smuggling across the country in order to maximize tax compliance.
