Two Chinese nationals detained over corruption allegations: FIA

Chinese firm, agent among others booked for submitting forged documents for clearance of surveying equipment

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s Anti-Corruption Circle has rounded up two Chinese nationals besides registering a case against an Oil & Gas surveying company, its clearing agent, Customs officials and others over allegations of submitting forged documents for clearance of surveying equipment.

Zhong Zhongmin and Li Chonhong, Country Manager and Deputy Country Manager of the Chinese firm M/s BGP (Pakistan) International were detained on Wednesday for “preparing/submitting fake/bogus corporate guarantee for clearance of their surveying equipment valued at Rs677 million,” said a statement issued by the investigative agency.



The Chinese firm, its clearing agent M/s IMT Co, Customs officials and others have been named in the FIR registered by the FIA, revealed the statement. “M/s BGP (Pakistan) International is also facing adjudication proceedings before Customs authorities,” it said, adding the company obtained a stay order from the Sindh High Court (SHC) against the adjudication proceedings.

“The honourable court has directed the BGP (Pakistan) International to deposit one per cent of all temporary imports as surcharge on expired corporate guarantees,” the statement read.

It further said the organisation has so far deposited Rs160 million against 125 temporary imports whereas during the course of its inquiry, the FIA calculated a total outstanding amount of Rs513 million.



In March this year, the FIA held two Chinese nationals for stealing ATM card data by attaching a skimming device along with a spy camera panel at a local bank in the metropolis. Later, a case was registered against the Chinese nationals who were identified as Zhong Xianquan and Zhong Xianming.