105 phones recovered from passenger at Karachi airport

E-Paper | May 06, 2026

KARACHI: Customs authorities at Jinnah International Airport caught a passenger on a flight from Dubai to Karachi with 105 cell phones concealed on his body in an apparent attempt to transport them illegally.

Muhammad Ali Shah who was travelling to Karachi on flight EK-600 had strapped 105 cell phones on his body to hide them, Customs Chief Media Officer Syed Muhammad Irfan Ali said.

Television footage shows customs officials taking a pair of pants off the suspect as he lifts his shirt and empties pockets of what are reported to be cell phones.

Officials pictured with the recovered cell phones. ─ Customs CMO

Cell phones recovered from the suspect. ─ Customs CMO

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Ahmed31

Jan 22, 2016 03:18pm

wow...takes a special kind of person to attempt something like that

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Jan 22, 2016 03:22pm

Whats this compared to Ayan ali half million dollars money laundering case? Return Mobile phones to Mohammad ali shah now! law exists only for poor and common people.

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SOS

Jan 22, 2016 03:27pm

Must not have bribed the officials and look what happened otherwise I have seen people smuggling 50 + alcohol bottles, 1000 + cell phones and god knows what else.

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Nadeem Mian

Jan 22, 2016 03:43pm

Look at the picture of officials .....like they have saved the country from a disaster or big clammily ..... This poor guy would be punished harshly ................ And ....Ayyan Ali .....is on bail and soon would be declared innocent.... That is why the nations are destroyed .........

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Faisal

Jan 22, 2016 04:24pm

The poor guy did not bribe these custom officials. You should see these officials escorting their carriers in the arrival hall with obese high officials sitting in their office anxiously waiting for their share to be given.

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aqazi

Jan 22, 2016 04:39pm

A failed "MUK MUKA" resulted in this....local mobile markets are flooded with these 2nd hand phones.

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Acorn Guts

Jan 22, 2016 05:31pm

It's not the first time phones have been smuggled in. The only difference is that he forgot to bribe the officials this time and let's face it; poor chap ain't Ayyan ali either.

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abuzar

Jan 22, 2016 05:33pm

since you have seen and seized the lockers of PIA staffers, it is possible they have to arrest some to make fuss.

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Zhou Yuan

Jan 22, 2016 06:02pm

While appreciating the cache of used second hand cell phones,it's no big deal,the passenger could have fined plus other customs dues charged, but a group photo of customs staff for just 105 old cell phones,creating hype in news media is somewhat beyond the need.Anyway the people are more curious and interested in the case of Ayan Ali wherein 1/2 million USD were red handed recovered from model girl

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M Jamal

Jan 22, 2016 06:34pm

This news is to feed the common Pakistani that the Custom department is working ,otherwise,most of the imported items are smuggled in the country.Please spare the Awam.Please check the assets of those appearing in the photo with the confiscated mobiles. There neighbours will speak the truth about their living standards.

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Usman

Jan 22, 2016 07:16pm

Not surprised I used to see people commuting on daily basis between Dubai and Karachi doing "Kheep" business. Authorities are "well informed". They only catch when they cant claim their share.

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Sonny Afridi

Jan 22, 2016 11:27pm

Probably brought them from Dubai to be sold in Pakistan. Govt. of Pakistan imposed huge ban on importation of used A/B Grade iPhones and Samsungs and other phones. Hence he tried to hide them in such fashion thinking he'd get away. Now he lost close to $45-50 thousand worth of phones. Should have just used a freight forwarder.

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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne

Jan 23, 2016 01:13am

So what is new here? It happens everyday in every Pakistani airport.

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harsh

Jan 23, 2016 01:50am

@Nadeem Mian very truly said.

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harsh

Jan 23, 2016 01:52am

@Zhou Yuan these useless officials only hungry for publicity on something one will be laughing at.

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ak4pk

Jan 23, 2016 01:59am

They don't look like custom officers rather more like wealthy businessmen. Guess you know what I mean and you are right!

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Hasan

Jan 23, 2016 02:17am

Wait, something is not right. Dubai to Karachi? Emirates Airline? and he was NOT caught at DXB? Impossible. I think the Dubai Airport allowed him to go. Why not if they are 'his' property, who cares how many? is there a specific threshold of number of phones one can fly with? No. Then why is Karachi customs stopping this guy.. What crime did he make?

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Anne Khan

Jan 23, 2016 02:39am

@Ahmed31 A person like that couldn't be classified as 'special'! Whatever else he could be classified as!!!

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Anne Khan

Jan 23, 2016 02:42am

@SOS Then why don't you report these people as you see them so often.

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Anne Khan

Jan 23, 2016 02:44am

@Acorn Guts Name the Officials and shame them

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Momtaz

Jan 23, 2016 03:33am

Are cell phones so expensive in Pakistan that make people smuggle them in? Heere it costs between USD100-500 for a good model or between USD10-50 for used ones.

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Lost Lakha

Jan 23, 2016 06:29am

At times, change of shift of the custom officials also make the difference. And at times, its all part of planing, if the planning fails,it produces a result; sweet for one and sour for the other! May be, this is what happened in case case of Aiyan Ali! However, how about recovery of smuggled goods confiscated by the custom authorities! How is it all accounted for! Is it taken into account as Government Revenue, or source of income in the Annual National Budget! Well, there are many more such questions that could be asked in this regard; but then, who is going to answer? So, let this one be forgotten matter of the past.

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amir Ahmad

Jan 23, 2016 08:21am

Custom official must be awarded nishan-e- haider for their bravery and courage.

Recommend 0

Jan 23, 2016 08:29am

It is so funny- why is it illegal to bring cellphones in the country? Give the man a break and give him his phones back.

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Prashantjain

Jan 23, 2016 08:35am

How come UAE authority allowed him to carry huge amount of cell phones in flight.The guy in great loss.

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Baaligh

Jan 23, 2016 08:34pm

@SOS : Custom officer's post is considered to be most lucrative due to heavy "extra" income.

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