ISLAMABAD: The United States yesterday provided equipment worth millions of dollars to the FBR for tracking down terrorists involved in the smuggling of material used in improvised explosive devices for conducting attacks.
The Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) of USA and Pakistan’s Customs authorities had agreed in 2008 to establish close liaison and cooperation between the two countries.
Under this initiative, the US has now handed over crucial equipment for effective enforcement at all entry and exit points of the country through Customs authorities.
US Ambassador Richard Olson handed over the keys of 80 VIGO vehicles, 10,000 chemical testing kits, five first defenders, night vision goggles worth millions of dollars to chairman FBR Tariq Bajwa at a ceremony held at the FBR’s headquarters yesterday.
The ambassador said he was impressed by Pakistan’s commitment.
Pakistan, he said, is becoming a regional leader among the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for taking steps towards the desired direction. The cooperation between US and Pakistan will continue in this regard, he added.
The chairman FBR said that Pakistan’s economy suffered heavy losses to the tune of $100-150bn in the war against terror. Now a counter strategy is required by the FBR not only for ensuring tax collection but also for ensuring security of the bordering areas of the country, he added.
The US has provided 80 VIGOs each costing Rs4.5m, first five defenders having price of $50,000 each and US will be providing 64 more. It has also provided a hand-held laboratory to identify different chemicals at all other entry and exit points.
Under an initiative of Global Shield, the end user verification is under way to track down thousands of clients of fertilizers within Pakistan. Fertilizer is being used to make IEDs.
There are two fertilizer plants in the country and their clients at wholesale and retail stage will be tracked down by Pakistan’s tax authorities and for mobility purposes the handed over vehicles would be used throughout the country.
IANS
