Court directs accused lawmaker to cooperate in smuggling investigation

PTI MNA Muhammad Aslam Khan directed to cooperate in investigation process

KARACHI: A Customs court has ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Muhammad Aslam Khan, elected from NA-254 Azizabad, to cooperate in the investigation process in the case pertaining to smuggling of electronic goods.

The case was heard in the Karachi Customs court in which Muhammad Aslam Khan appeared.

The court, extending Khan's bail  till January 24 ordered the MNA to cooperate in the investigation process. According to officials, Khan has been an absconder for a long time in the misdeclaration case. Customs Intelligence and Investigation's air flight unit director-general received a complaint regarding smuggling in 1997.

The operation started on the complaint about smuggling being done under the cover of Pakistan Air Force's exported goods as they don't get checked.

The prime accused in the smuggling case, Muhammad Aslam Khan, and others committed misrepresented Rs28.57 million. The accused were indicted on December 14, 1998 in the absence of Aslam Khan.

The Customs authorities issued permanent arrest warrants due to his absence in court, declaring Aslam Khan as an absconder in the reference.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2018.