PM takes notice of smuggling

78 customs officers, smugglers under investigation for major smuggling ring

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ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the presence of a smuggling network involving 78 alleged corrupt Customs officers and smugglers, as preliminary information reveals how money was collected and distributed among the members of the network.

Government sources told The Express Tribune that the Prime Minister's Office has asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) about the presence of the smuggling network, which was uncovered by one of the premier intelligence agencies.

The Express Tribune published a story last week, disclosing that one of Pakistan's leading intelligence agencies had identified the smuggling network and that the FBR had launched a fact-finding inquiry.

Sources said the FBR informed the Prime Minister's Office that it was currently in the process of conducting the inquiry, and the report will be shared by February 28th. The fact-finding inquiry is being led by Basit Maqsood Abbasi, Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement, and Nayyer Shafiq, Collector of Customs Appraisement, Karachi.

The premier is personally overseeing the matter, demonstrating his commitment to eliminate corrupt elements from the bureaucracy and plug revenue leakages. The smuggling has been causing significant economic losses and resulting in reduced local production. Businesses are also being sidelined by the influx of cheaper imported goods from China.

The chairman of the FBR had ordered the inquiry to determine the involvement of Customs officials in facilitating smuggling for monetary gain.

Sources said the prime minister insisted on a comprehensive investigation to dismantle the network completely and identify all beneficiaries.

FBR spokesperson Najeeb Memon did not respond to a query about the prime minister's intervention in the matter.

The intelligence agency uncovered a network of 78 Customs officials and smugglers involved in smuggling non-customs paid goods from Quetta to Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Of those, 37 were Customs officers, and 41 were private smugglers.

Some individuals identified in the agency's report hold important positions in the federal setup, according to government sources. The names of the collectors, additional collectors, and deputy collectors of Customs have been mentioned in the report. These officers serve in grades 18, 19, and 20.

Out of the 37 Customs officers, around 12 have served in key positions, according to the details. These officers have served in Lahore, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Islamabad, the sources said.

The network smuggled non-customs paid goods, including cigarettes, tyres, and clothes, from Quetta to major consumption centers in Punjab.

Alleged bribes ranged from Rs2 million to Rs30 million per month, according to the initial information gathered by the intelligence agency. Some of the alleged proceeds were also used to cover the Customs office's expenditures, the sources said.

One of the key officers allegedly received up to Rs30 million per month in kickbacks. Another officer is accused of pressuring small-scale smugglers to join the larger network, according to the sources.

The front men were tasked with depositing the collected money with a driver who had been working with a senior officer for some time, according to the allegations. The driver was on deputation at the Customs office and also served as a transportation officer, said the sources.

There are concerns that the proceeds may have been laundered abroad.

One officer allegedly ensured that duty shifts did not stop and that containers carrying smuggled goods were not examined, according to the sources. Another officer is accused of facilitating the smuggling of liquor and non-duty-paid iPhones.

At least one Customs official's role was to manage the transfer and posting of staff to facilitate the smuggling. One person allegedly collected millions of rupees in bribes each month for clearing illegal goods, with the money being distributed among key officers.