NAB arrests 9 in embezzlement

During import of betel leaves, taxes were evaded by the importers

LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has arrested nine custom officials, clearing agents and betel leaf importers over allegations of embezzlement in import of betel leaves from India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

The arrested suspects were identified as Ghulam Murtaza, Muhammad Fayyaz, Muhammad Shakeel, Khairat Ali, Shahid Hussain Bhutta, Rehan Elahi, Rashid Yaqoob, Muhammad Saeed and Abdul Khaliq Zaki.

NAB Lahore had received a complaint from a whistle blower regarding mega embezzlement in customs duty. Complaint was based on fraud during incumbency of several collector customs between the years 2007 to 2012. It was alleged that during import of betel leaves from India and Sri Lanka at Lahore airport, taxes were evaded by the importers in connivance with officers and officials of customs.



NAB secretly started investigations in 2016, analysed the record and found loss of Rs2.6 billion to national exchequer during the investigations. They arrested the suspects when they found substantial evidences against them.

NAB will seek remand of the suspects for further investigations.

NAB spokesperson Muhammad Zeeshan said that the scope of investigations will be increased as NAB had found evidences that officials of many other departments were also involved in the scam.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2017.