Karachi suo motu case: SC forms panel to probe arms shipment charge

Ports and shipping ministry of previous govts involved in arms smuggling, says DG Rangers.

KARACHI:

The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a commission to conduct an investigation into an alleged shipment of weapons and the suspected collusion of the ports and shipping ministry in the matter.

During the Friday hearing of the Karachi suo motu case, the Rangers Director-General (DG), Major General Rizwan Akhtar, explained that there are many ways and means through which arms and ammunition are smuggled into the country. “In the past, with the connivance of the then minister of shipping, a shipload of arms and ammunition was brought into Karachi and the whereabouts of such arms and ammunition has never been ascertained,” he said, as quoted in the Supreme Court’s order.

However, Akhtar later told the media that he did not name any minister in this Supreme Court statement, but only said that containers loaded with arms came into Karachi during previous governments.

Arms and ammunitions are smuggled into the country through sea and land routes and the black money earned through tax evasion is used to finance these criminal activities, particularly in Karachi, the larger Supreme Court bench noted.



Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry headed the bench, which comprised Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Muhammad Athar Saeed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed.

The bench also came down hard on Customs’ authorities for their failure in checking the smuggling and possible involvement.

Then the bench constituted a commission headed by former Customs member, Dr Ramzan Bhatti, to inquire into the allegations regarding the containers of arms, and propose action against those involved. The commission would also ascertain whether arms or ammunitions are brought in or smuggled via sea routes.

The commission would suggest names of suspected perpetrators as well as cite reasons for the failure to curb the smuggling. It would also be responsible for determining whether Customs officials at the Bin Qasim and Karachi ports collect all duty and revenue.

Meanwhile, the Customs chief collector, Muhammad Yahya, told the court that he had prepared a report elucidating the difficulties faced by his department in preventing the smuggling of arms, ammunition and other contraband items in the country. One reason is the lack of resources, finances and manpower.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said: “It is to be noted that not only in Karachi but in the entire country there is an uncontrolled flow of smuggled arms and ammunition, which is definitely being used by unscrupulous elements for criminal activities.”

The bench noted that in practical terms, it might not be possible for only Customs to control smuggling. “The illegal trafficking can (also) be controlled by the Coast Guards and the Maritime Security Agency.”

Customs chief controller Muhammad Yahya did not give a concrete reply to the directions given to him on Thursday regarding the number of containers through which these contrabands were brought in Karachi.

The Supreme Court directed Yahya to submit a report during the course of the day on the number of ships, vessels and launches that arrived and the revenue collected on the goods imported from June 1 to August 30.

Meanwhile, the chief collector and the directors general of the Pakistan Coast Guards and the Maritime Security Agency were given seven days to hold a joint meeting and submit their report on the ways this practice can be kept in check.

The Federal Board of Revenue chairman was also directed to provide the commission with all logistic facilities.

“It is important to note that the control of arms smuggling is one of the most important aspects of the law and order situation in Karachi, as well as other parts of the country,” observed the bench.

The hearing would resume on September 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2013.