‘Missing’ NATO containers: Court applauds steps taken by FBR to check smuggling
There is a 79 per cent gap between the taxes levied and their revenue, Chairman FBR.
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday directed the concerned parties to submit their replies in the Nato containers case within three days before ex-parte proceedings are initiated.
Certain innovations are being introduced in the Afghan Transit Trade to curtail smuggling in Nato containers. Tracking systems are being installed for scanning and monitoring the containers, Chairman FBR Salman Siddique informed the court. Transporters will be required to give a bank guaranty before the containers leave for their destination. In case of violation of the agreement, the bank guaranty will be sealed.
The court was informed that 30 officers out of 43 have submitted their replies. It seems that the rest have nothing to say in their defence, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed. They have been granted three days to submit their replies before the court initiates proceedings against them.
The FBR is to conduct a thorough investigation headed by Hafiz Muhammad Anees. Tax collection officers and staff based in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta who helped the smugglers evade taxes have been transferred, Siddique informed the court.
The chief justice appreciated him for taking bold steps. “We fear you may be transferred and appointed as the Chief Secretary Balochistan,” he remarked. “The FBR will not spare the culprits and the looted money shall be retrieved,” Siddique assured the court. “Nobody will get away by pulling the right connections.”
“There is a 79 per cent gap between the taxes levied and the revenue accruing from them in Pakistan,” the chairman informed the bench. He was however hopeful results would be visible within a month.
The chief justice assured Siddique of the court’s support for the implementation of the steps FBR has taken to check smuggling in Nato containers.
The bench reprimanded Director General National Logistics Cell (NLC) for not receiving the court notice issued to him and asked him to explain why he should not be charged with contempt of court. The counsel for NLC, Afnan Karim Kundi apologized however and said it was a misunderstanding.
The chief justice said he would like to see the looted money recovered from the accused.
The court has adjourned the case till February 28.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2011.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday directed the concerned parties to submit their replies in the Nato containers case within three days before ex-parte proceedings are initiated.
Certain innovations are being introduced in the Afghan Transit Trade to curtail smuggling in Nato containers. Tracking systems are being installed for scanning and monitoring the containers, Chairman FBR Salman Siddique informed the court. Transporters will be required to give a bank guaranty before the containers leave for their destination. In case of violation of the agreement, the bank guaranty will be sealed.
The court was informed that 30 officers out of 43 have submitted their replies. It seems that the rest have nothing to say in their defence, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed. They have been granted three days to submit their replies before the court initiates proceedings against them.
The FBR is to conduct a thorough investigation headed by Hafiz Muhammad Anees. Tax collection officers and staff based in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta who helped the smugglers evade taxes have been transferred, Siddique informed the court.
The chief justice appreciated him for taking bold steps. “We fear you may be transferred and appointed as the Chief Secretary Balochistan,” he remarked. “The FBR will not spare the culprits and the looted money shall be retrieved,” Siddique assured the court. “Nobody will get away by pulling the right connections.”
“There is a 79 per cent gap between the taxes levied and the revenue accruing from them in Pakistan,” the chairman informed the bench. He was however hopeful results would be visible within a month.
The chief justice assured Siddique of the court’s support for the implementation of the steps FBR has taken to check smuggling in Nato containers.
The bench reprimanded Director General National Logistics Cell (NLC) for not receiving the court notice issued to him and asked him to explain why he should not be charged with contempt of court. The counsel for NLC, Afnan Karim Kundi apologized however and said it was a misunderstanding.
The chief justice said he would like to see the looted money recovered from the accused.
The court has adjourned the case till February 28.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2011.