The government has approved a new framework for the disposal of tampered and confiscated vehicles, with the introduction of a revised Customs General Order (CGO) aimed at ensuring greater transparency, efficiency, and revenue generation.
As per reports, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level committee meeting on Wednesday to review existing laws and policies regarding the disposal of tampered and confiscated vehicles. During the meeting, a sub-committee presented a detailed proposal, which was unanimously approved.Â
The sub-committee’s recommendation was based on extensive deliberations and aims to streamline the disposal process while enhancing accountability within the system.
The newly approved CGO will simplify the disposal procedure of confiscated vehicles, promoting transparency and reducing delays in the process. It is expected to generate additional revenue through the auction of confiscated vehicles, with an emphasis on legal compliance and efficiency.
Senator Dar emphasised that the revised framework would also improve administrative processes and curb misuse, which has been a concern in the past. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that the disposal of such vehicles complies with the established legal standards.
The meeting, attended by the Minister for Law and Justice, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Law and Justice, was a significant step towards addressing the issue of non-compliance with existing disposal laws.
Previously, the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) had directed the FBR to approach the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for the disposal of vehicles with tampered chassis numbers, recommending that they be allocated to registered philanthropic organisations for charity work. The FTO’s special report noted that customs authorities had failed to dispose of these vehicles in accordance with the law, resulting in delays and inefficiencies.
The new CGO is expected to address these shortcomings, ensuring the timely and legal disposal of tampered and confiscated vehicles, while also improving revenue collection from the auctions.
