Missing containers case: Probe finds no evidence of arms smuggling
Commission says lack of uniform facilities the real reason behind the scandal.
The commission has denied the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi is in any way tied with the workings of the Customs Department. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
KARACHI:
A commission set up by the Supreme Court to investigate the alleged disappearance of Nato arms shipments from Karachi port has found no evidence of arms smuggling, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The director general Rangers had told the top court on August 30 that around 19,000 shipping containers, containing weapons and vehicles, had gone missing during the tenure of a former minister for ports and shipping.
In its 15-page report submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the commission said the DG Rangers did not provide proof to substantiate his claim. Citing the report, sources said most of the containers that allegedly disappeared were carrying goods as part of the Afghan transit trade. Only a few hundred, they added, belonged to Nato.
According to sources, the commission dispelled the impression that its probe into the missing shipments was affected by a statement of the US embassy. In the statement issued last week, US official denied any Nato containers had gone missing from the Karachi port.
The report admitted, however, that the Customs Department cannot check every instance of smuggling due to a lack of proper facilities.
“The commission accepts there are flaws in the clearance system of the Customs Department… all stations do not have similar facilities, therefore smuggling cannot be stopped entirely,” said a source, citing the report.
Still, the commission has denied the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi is in any way tied with the workings of the Customs Department. The lack of uniform facilities at all customs stations is the reason behind discrepancies that have produced a scandal like the alleged disappearance of Nato containers.
It adds that while the inefficiency of the Customs Department has insignificant bearing on Karachi’s law and order, it continues to inflict massive losses on the national exchequer. As such, the report recommends all customs stations be equipped with uniform facilities and their capabilities be upgraded.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2013.
A commission set up by the Supreme Court to investigate the alleged disappearance of Nato arms shipments from Karachi port has found no evidence of arms smuggling, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The director general Rangers had told the top court on August 30 that around 19,000 shipping containers, containing weapons and vehicles, had gone missing during the tenure of a former minister for ports and shipping.
In its 15-page report submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the commission said the DG Rangers did not provide proof to substantiate his claim. Citing the report, sources said most of the containers that allegedly disappeared were carrying goods as part of the Afghan transit trade. Only a few hundred, they added, belonged to Nato.
According to sources, the commission dispelled the impression that its probe into the missing shipments was affected by a statement of the US embassy. In the statement issued last week, US official denied any Nato containers had gone missing from the Karachi port.
The report admitted, however, that the Customs Department cannot check every instance of smuggling due to a lack of proper facilities.
“The commission accepts there are flaws in the clearance system of the Customs Department… all stations do not have similar facilities, therefore smuggling cannot be stopped entirely,” said a source, citing the report.
Still, the commission has denied the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi is in any way tied with the workings of the Customs Department. The lack of uniform facilities at all customs stations is the reason behind discrepancies that have produced a scandal like the alleged disappearance of Nato containers.
It adds that while the inefficiency of the Customs Department has insignificant bearing on Karachi’s law and order, it continues to inflict massive losses on the national exchequer. As such, the report recommends all customs stations be equipped with uniform facilities and their capabilities be upgraded.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2013.