Customs asks IHC to cancel bail of accused for illegal clearance of imported cars

ISLAMABAD: The Customs authorities have approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Irfan Siddiqui, an employee of former Ehtesab Bureau’s chief Saifur Rehman, in a case of illegal clearance of cars imported in the name of the Qatar Embassy.

Challenging the bail granted to Siddiqui by the IHC against a surety of Rs1 million, the Pakistan Customs have claimed that illegal clearance was issued for cars that were later not used by the embassy.

According to the petition, the foreign ministry issued illegal exemption certificates to 330 imported cars, 50 of which were sent overseas while 280 are still in Pakistan. The court was also informed that 23 luxury cars had been recovered through raids while search for the rest was underway.

The petition asks the court to cancel the bail granted to Siddiqui who should also be remanded in the custody of Customs for investigation and recovery of other cars.