Strike in alcohol smuggling case ends
KARACHI:
The All Pakistan Appraisers Association has ended their strike against customs intelligence as warrants for customs officers have been issued.
The association went on strike to protest an FIR calling for the investigation and arrest of 14 members of the Afghan Transit Group for allegedly allowing alcohol to cross the border.
Officials in the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) say the investigation has been deferred until June 30 in order to make sure tax collection and customs clearance continue smoothly until the end of the fiscal year.
According to officials in the Customs Intelligence the officers accused of smuggling of have cleared over 50 containers of liquor worth Rs12.5 million by wrongly declaring that the containers were carrying soft drinks.
The appraisement officers maintain that the alcohol was intended for Nato-Isaf forces but some sources have claimed that this is a front for smuggling alcohol in the country. During investigations in this case the head of Blue Sky has been arrested for allegedly importing and clearing liquor. The FBR has suggested that customs offices remain open over the weekend as the one-day strike resulted in a loss of Rs1 billion due to delays in cargo clearance.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2010.
The All Pakistan Appraisers Association has ended their strike against customs intelligence as warrants for customs officers have been issued.
The association went on strike to protest an FIR calling for the investigation and arrest of 14 members of the Afghan Transit Group for allegedly allowing alcohol to cross the border.
Officials in the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) say the investigation has been deferred until June 30 in order to make sure tax collection and customs clearance continue smoothly until the end of the fiscal year.
According to officials in the Customs Intelligence the officers accused of smuggling of have cleared over 50 containers of liquor worth Rs12.5 million by wrongly declaring that the containers were carrying soft drinks.
The appraisement officers maintain that the alcohol was intended for Nato-Isaf forces but some sources have claimed that this is a front for smuggling alcohol in the country. During investigations in this case the head of Blue Sky has been arrested for allegedly importing and clearing liquor. The FBR has suggested that customs offices remain open over the weekend as the one-day strike resulted in a loss of Rs1 billion due to delays in cargo clearance.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2010.