In this regard, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), in collaboration with Ministry of Environment, has trained 15 custom officials who would later give training to over 200 officials across the country to curb the smuggling of these substances.
During the training, the list of ozone depleting substances was provided to the trainee officials to effectively control their free flow.
A function was organised in connection with training of custom officials, which was attended by senior tax officials including CBR Chairman Muhammad Abdullah Yusuf and CBR Member (Customs) Ramzan Bhatti.
Official sources told Business Recorder here on Saturday that there are certain types of gases used in the refrigerators and air conditioners, which are causing immense damage to the ozone layer and creating environmental and health hazards.
Under a global agreement, it is the responsibility of every member country to take appropriate measures to reduce the consumption of these gases to protect the ozone layer. It has been agreed among the member countries to bring down the usage of these gases, as was in 1980.
For this purpose, it is the responsibility of customs and environment officials to check the illegal import/export of these substances.
High profit encourages the traders from India and China to send huge consignments of these substances to Pakistan, officials said.
The trade of these substances has increased to such an extent that it has become the largest illegal trade after narcotics. These gases are imported under the cover of non-cfc gases for earning huge profits.
The government has already reduced the rates of custom duty on the import of non-cfc gases up to 5 percent.