KARACHI: The Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation raided the head office of Bol Media in Karachi under Section 162 of Customs Act, 1969.
Earlier, Bol Media had been issued a notice under Section 26 of the Act demanding documentary evidence pertaining to the import or procurement of the broadcast equipment as well as import of bullet-proof vehicles.
However, the management did not respond to the earlier notice. A magistrate supervised the raid. Three teams of Anti-smuggling Organization (ASO) led by Director Asif Marghoob Siddiqui, Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan and Deputy Director Amjad Rajpar inspected the premises and found that the equipment had been installed on 7th and 9th floors.
DG I&I Lutfullah Virk and Director Asif Marghoob Siddiqui had information that Bol Media had installed non-duty paid equipment and there were bullet-proof vehicles, which were imported without meeting the formalities.
Sources said that the management of Bol issued contradictory statements. Earlier, it was said that the equipment was legally imported and the documentary evidence in this regard would be submitted afterwards. Later, they stated that the equipment was procured from the local suppliers.
It was known that the employees of Bol offered rigorous resistance and did not let officials enter the premises. However, after discussion with the management, Customs officials entered the building.
The Customs has prepared the inventory of equipment installed at the 7th floor while the same at 9th floor would be documented on Saturday.
The workshop of the company was also visited where the presence of bullet-proof vehicles was confirmed.
Lutfullah Virk has advised the officers and officials of I&I not to misbehave with the people at Bol Media and the equipment should not be removed and only the inventory be prepared.