KARACHI, Sept 20: Four customs officials, facing inquiry in clearance case of Australian sheep, on Thursday submitted their written statements before the two-member inquiry committee set-up by Chief Collector South Amir Marwat, official sources said.

The chief collector had initiated an inquiry against the four customs officers posted at Port Qasim who cleared the animals on a provisional release order issued by the Animal Quarantine Department, Karachi.

One of the appraisers has already been suspended.

On a provisional order from the Quarantine Department the Customs authorities cleared the consignment for offloading from the vessel however, two provincial diagnostic facilities claimed the sheep were suffering from foot-and-mouth disease in addition to bacterial infection.

All the four officers including two appraisers and two principal appraisers appeared before the two member investigating committee comprising collector appraisement Manzoor Memon and additional collector PaCCS Zeba Bashir.

Sources said that all the four officers in their written statements pleaded that they cleared the consignment as per the laid down rules and procedures and therefore were bound not to hold back live animals for longer period of time.

They also submitted before the inquiry committee, relevant documents presented by importer and exporter for the clearance of 21,000 Australian sheep.

Sources said that these officials while pleading their case pointed out that all relevant documents including certificate of health issued by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, certificate of origin, commercial invoice and bill of lading were submitted by the importer before the clearance was granted.

They further argued that provisional release order from Animal Quarantine Department, Karachi is a routine requirement for getting animal consignment cleared at the earliest. However, detailed health examination  of animals is done once they are transferred to a government premises and kept under observation for few days.

Even if the investigation and health examination were to be carried out before unloading the sheep from the ship, it was the responsibility of the Quarantine department and not the customs authorities, they maintained.