The Excise Department in Karachi has seized several vehicles used by customs officers during an ongoing crackdown on illegal number plates and tax defaulters.
According to officials, excise teams stopped multiple government-plated vehicles at Sea View. Upon inspection, it was discovered that all vehicles with fancy number plates had tampered chassis and were being used by customs officers.
During the operation, customs officers inside the vehicles called in reinforcements for assistance. The situation escalated when customs personnel reportedly pushed excise staff, and a senior customs officer managed to flee with his vehicle.
Deputy Director of Excise and Taxation stated that using government plates on tampered vehicles is illegal and that such vehicles will be seized. He further assured that legal action would be taken against those who misbehaved with the excise team.
Meanwhile, Deputy Collector of Customs Raza Ali claimed that stopping their vehicles was unjustified, asserting that they were using tampered vehicles through legal means.
Sindh’s Minister for Excise, Mukesh Chawla, confirmed that five vehicles were seized over the weekend and that action will continue against those using tampered vehicles with government number plates.