KARACHI: Directorate General of Transit Trade has seized two consignments imported by a Kabul based importer for transit trade to Afghanistan. The consignments included military accessories and scopes for guns, which are banned to be imported for Afghan Transit Trade (ATT).
The importer and the clearing agents attempted to get these prohibited goods cleared through mis-declaration.
M/s Pul Sulh Ltd imported miscellaneous goods from China and sought clearance through M/s Muhammad Nawaz & Sons, but there was a significant difference in the declared and ascertained weight of cargo. The detailed examination found one consignment to be containing tactical knee & elbow pads (military grade), which were not declared, along with other miscellaneous goods as declared. Other consignment included several undeclared goods including wrist watches, power sprayers with gasoline engine, USB drives, laser scopes for guns (07 pcs), electro dot sight rifle scopes (102 pcs) and telescope for guns (100 pcs). These scopes are prohibited to be imported for ATT.
DG Transit Trade Javed Ghani had instructed the formation to keep vigil on transit trade consignments. Director Wajid Ali has appreciated Deputy Collector Shoib Raza for this detection.
In view of the anti-terrorism operation Zarb-e-Azb is underway, attempt to clear such prohibited military and weapon accessories rings alarms, that who is importing such stuff and for whom, as these goods are definitely not for Pakistan Army. This case also confirms that Afghan Transit Trade as well as Transshipment (TP) cargos are the prime source of smuggling as well as funding and abetting the terrorists and anti-social elements.
It may be mentioned here that under WeBOC system 75 percent of ATT consignments are cleared through Green Channel without examination. This is due to the pressure by Afghan authorities as they always create hue and cry that their consignments are delayed whenever ATT cargo is examined in detail. Further investigations are underway and interesting facts are likely to be ascertained.