ISLAMABAD, October 19, 2026: Pakistan Customs has detained three oil tankers carrying approximately 20,000 litres of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) in separate anti-smuggling operations in Hyderabad after digital tracking checks revealed irregularities in their movement and transportation documents.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Hyderabad carried out the operations using the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Tracking App to monitor petroleum consignments and identify suspicious transportation activity.
The three tankers were detained during separate operations after customs officials found that their tracking records were unavailable on the OGRA portal. The combined value of the cases was estimated at approximately Rs40 million.
OGRA tracking app helps detect irregularities
Customs officials identified several discrepancies during the inspections, including unexplained delays in transit, broken or apparently tampered seals, and differences between the delivery locations recorded on invoices and the places where the petroleum consignments were being offloaded.
The absence of tracking records on the OGRA portal raised further concerns about the movement and documentation of the consignments, prompting officials to detain the vehicles for verification.
The FBR said the digital monitoring system allows customs enforcement teams to examine transportation records, track the movement of petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) products, and identify discrepancies that may indicate irregularities.
Customs strengthens anti-smuggling surveillance
Pakistan Customs has stepped up the use of OGRA’s digital tracking system to strengthen surveillance of petroleum transportation and improve intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations.
According to the FBR, the technology helps enforcement teams identify suspicious movement patterns, verify delivery information and detect inconsistencies in transportation documents.
The department said digital tracking was becoming an important tool for monitoring petroleum supply chains and identifying consignments requiring further investigation.
The Hyderabad enforcement operations form part of efforts to curb the illicit movement of petroleum products while ensuring compliance with applicable customs and transportation regulations.
Detained tankers face further verification
The FBR clarified that the three detained vehicles and their petroleum consignments remain subject to verification and further legal proceedings under the relevant laws.
The irregularities identified during the operations have not yet been established as smuggling offences through completed legal proceedings.
Pakistan Customs reaffirmed its commitment to combating smuggling, protecting legitimate petroleum supply chains and strengthening enforcement through technology-based monitoring.
The department said it would continue using digital tracking and field surveillance to identify suspicious consignments and improve compliance in the transportation of petroleum products.