Islamabad, November 15, 2024 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued new guidelines outlining the functions and jurisdiction of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Customs. The FBR formalized these changes through SRO 1815(I)/2024, released on Friday. Expanded Functions of DG I&I Customs The FBR detailed the responsibilities of the Directorate General, emphasizing its role in combating tax evasion, smuggling, and financial crime. According to the FBR, key tasks include: 1. Intelligence Gathering: Collecting information on duty or tax evasion linked to imports, exports, and concessionary schemes. The insights will be shared with the FBR and relevant field formations through intelligence alerts. 2. Anti-Smuggling Operations: Monitoring smuggling activities, including identifying trends, beneficiaries, and facilitators, and reporting findings to the FBR and concerned authorities. 3. Data Analysis: Leveraging advanced technologies like data analytics, machine learning, and non-intrusive intelligence methods to detect organized fraud. 4. Targeted Operations: Conducting operations against tax and customs violations with prior or post-facto approval from Member Customs (Operations). Strengthening AML Compliance The FBR has assigned the Directorate additional responsibilities under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010. These include exercising powers under Section 26 of the…