KARACHI, Sept 20: The Federal Board of Revenue has requested the Civil Aviation Authority to provide details about the three aircraft imported by Bhoja Air allegedly on “highly under-invoiced value”.

During its investigation, the FBR’s intelligence and investigation directorate general has found that the aircraft were owned by Arshad Jalil, managing director and CEO of Bhoja Air, through his Sharjah-based company, but he declared them as obtained on lease to evade customs duties and other taxes.

In his letter to the CAA’s airworthiness director, FBR official Jameel Baloch says: “In pursuance of an information of directorate general of Intelligence and Investigations, FBR, regional Office Karachi is conducting an investigation regarding import of two Boeing 737-200 and one Boeing 737-400 aircraft (total three), imported by M/s Bhoja Air Limited which have been cleared on mis-declared value on the basis of dry-lease agreement.

“During the course of investigation it has come on surface that the said aircraft are in fact owned by Arshad Jalil, managing director and CEO of M/s Bhoja Air Limited and the aircraft should have been cleared on its actual invoice value instead of dry-lease agreement, which caused colossal loss to the state exchequer. The three aircraft have been registered with the Civil Aviation Authority as per following details.

“1) Boeing 737-200 registration No: AP-BKC; 2) Boeing 737-200 registration No: AP-BKD; and 3) Boeing 737-400 registration No: AP-BKF. As the investigation into the matter is in progress it is requested to provide the certified copies of the following documents in respect of the import and registration of aforesaid three aircraft.

“i) copy of dry lease agreements in respect of the three aircraft; ii) airworthiness certificate issued to the three aircraft; iii) copies of goods declarations along with invoices and other related documents submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority for the registration of the aircraft; and iv) any other documents helpful in the investigation.

“The above information is requisitioned in terms of Section 26 of the Customs Act, 1969.”