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ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has recovered Rs18.91 million from 10 persons who illegally got 33 containers of taxable imported goods cleared at Port Qasim, Karachi.
The recovery was made in the 50 missing containers case, which were fraudulently removed from the port premises during May 2012 to July 2013. The fate of the remaining 17 boxes was yet to be determined.
A follow-up report on the missing containers, also available with Dawn, showed that investigation was initiated against a Karachi-based trader who got imported goods cleared against fake declaration without paying any duty and taxes. Upon widening scope of the probe nine more traders were identified for their involvement.
The FBR has constituted a three-member fact-finding committee headed by a BS-21 officer, which has already submitted its detail report for necessary action.
In connection to the case six persons were arrested by the Customs Intelligence, while another 12 obtained interim bail.
It was claimed in the report that customs officers posted at the gate were suspended and charge-sheeted for their lapse.
However, their names were not disclosed in the report.
On the recommendation of the committee, the FBR has also initiated disciplinary proceedings against one principal appraiser, three appraising officers and two examining officers.
Necessary action has also been taken against specific role of assistant and deputy collectors, who remained in-charge of the off-dock terminal in the light of recommendations of the fact-finding committee.
The FBR has also asked the director general Customs Intelligence for initiation of criminal proceedings against the terminal operator.
The Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping took up the case of missing containers from Port Qasim and referred it to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in September 2014.
The FIA Corporate Crime Circle, Karachi has registered the inquiry into the 50 missing containers case for further investigation. And FBR has submitted the record of the case to the FIA, added the report.
Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2015
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