‘Duty-less’ customs officials allow smuggling

The FBR has confirmed that thousands of containers have passed through the customs authorities without payment of duties.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue has confirmed that thousands of containers have passed through the customs authorities without payment of duties and on declaration they were meant for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan.

Earlier reports by the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Lutfullah Warq state the number of containers could be as high as 10,080 which FBR Chairman Sohail Ahmed claims is an exaggeration.

According to the FBR report, two companies have been working in cahoots with officials in customs to smuggle in the containers which they passed off as carrying Isaf material.

Since the scandal came forward, FIRs against almost 20 people have been registered and several arrests have been made.

Ahmed told The Express Tribune that he does not know who has been arrested but suspects that seven people have been taken into custody. The FBR has contacted Isaf which says it does not have a deal with the companies against which action has been taken.

Earlier, the All Pakistan Appraisers 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, which the traders said was intended for Nato-Isaf forces.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2010.