KARACHI: The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) of Pakistan Customs has unearthed that reverse cargo of US/NATO forces in Afghanistan carrying hazmat waste was pilfered enroute to Port Qasim.
According to details, Chairman FBR Tariq Bajwa received a report prepared by a sensitive agency that reverse cargo of US/Nato forces was being pilfered.
Chairman FBR tasked DG I&I customs, Lutfullah Virk to conduct thorough investigation into the matter.
I&I initiated investigations and took custody of 18 containers parked at QICT on Wednesday evening and the same were examined next day. Of 18 containers, 14 were found to be filled with cement blocks instead of the declared goods i.e. hazmat waste.
Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan along with his team conducted the examination. Containers bearing Nos. TRDU-9936931, TCKU-9713359, TCKU-9885620, TCNU-9101851, TDRU-7088309, TEXU-4952805, TGHU-7535022, TRIU-5119926, TRIU-9141466, TRIU-9177849, TRIU-9914951, UESU-8532435, WFHU-4120390, CAXU-4958618, CLHU-8142277, HJCU-7619134, NKTU-5107003, OCLU-7030799 were examined.
When the I&I was contacted by Customnews.pk, the officers could not provide any details about the case.
Sources said an FIR under CGO 10 is likely on Friday and it is likely that the bonded carrier, clearing agent and focal person of US Consulate in Karachi may be nominated in the FIR.
It may be recalled that recently some 13 containers of NATO/ISAF reverse cargo carrying hazardous waste cleared from MCC Port Qasim received in Germany were found to be containing wooden and cement blacks instead of the cargo, sources told Customnews.pk.
It seems that the cargo including acid batteries and hazmat waste was pilfered enroute from Afghanistan to Karachi and dumped somewhere in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
The waste wet acid batteries etc are transported from US base in Afghanistan to Port Qasim and then these are exported to Germany.