Goods worth over Rs23m disappear
from Karachi Airport
In a startling case of pilferage,
goods worth over Rs 23 million have mysteriously disappeared from Karachi
Airport's Royal Service Terminal, allegedly under the watch of customs and
terminal officials.
Documents from the Post Clearance
Audit (PCA) South revealed the illegal removal of confiscated goods involving a
Lahore-based company. The company had misdeclared liquid food flavors valued at
Rs 23 million, attempting to evade the mandatory redemption fine of Rs 8.12
million. The operation, led by DG PCA Chaudhary Zulfiqar Ali and Director PCA
South Sheeraz Ahmed, uncovered a sophisticated scheme that allowed the company
to fraudulently obtain the seized goods without paying the required fines.
“This is part of a larger pattern
we’re uncovering,” said PCA sources. “The systematic manipulation of customs
procedures suggests deep-rooted corruption involving multiple parties.”
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This case adds to an ongoing
investigation that has already led to three FIRs against different companies
for similar offenses. These companies, in alleged collusion with customs
officials and port authorities, have been accused of misappropriating confiscated
goods, including machine parts, electronics, and aluminum sheets.
In this instance, the company
fraudulently acquired the confiscated goods without settling the redemption
fines, effectively stealing government property from the terminal. The PCA has
filed charges against the company and its clearing agent, and special teams
have been mobilized to apprehend the culprits.
Authorities suspect this case is
part of a much larger fraud, raising serious concerns about airport security
and customs compliance. As a result, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has
announced a comprehensive review of customs procedures at all major ports and
airports, focusing on the handling of confiscated goods and the accountability
of customs and terminal officials.
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The investigation remains ongoing,
with officials warning that the scope of the scam could be even broader than
initially thought.
Source:
Business Recorder