KARACHI: As Pakistan Customs is pursuing a rigorous anti-smuggling campaign, MCC Faisalabad has seized foreign origin smuggled cloths and tyres worth Rs12.254 million, which were being transported to Faisalabad from Quetta.
In pursuance of credible information through the Collector of Customs MCC Faisalabad that a Hino Truck loaded with the smuggled foreign origin Shafoon Cloth and Tyres is being transported from Quetta for Faisalabad.
A raiding team comprising Mujhid Abbas Inspector, Ghulam Abbas Driver, Ata Muhammad, Zulfiqar Ali Wahala, Zulfiqar Ali Awan sepoys under the supervision of Superintendent Tanveer Naqvi was constituted by the Assistant Collector ASO Faisalabad.
The vehicle was spotted and on search the foreign origin shafoon cloth packed in bales containing Rolls and foreign origin tyres were found concealed under the wooden boxes of apples. Two persons namely Naik Muhammad and Aajab Khan could not produce any documentary evidence regarding legal import or lawful possession of the cloths and tyres on the spot.
The driver disclosed that the cloth in question and tyres were loaded from Quetta for delivery to Faisalabad and he produced only a bill which shows full load truck “Apples”, Consigner name Haji Abdul Ali Khan and consignee name Bila & Co Faisalabad issued by Jan Goods Transport Company. Therefore due to non production of legal documents the foreign origin cloth and tyres along with vehicle which was being used for transportation of smuggled goods was taken into customs custody and brought to Customs ASO.
There are two posts of Customs Intelligence in between Quetta and Faisalabad, including DG Khan and Jhang, but the vehicle loaded with smuggled goods passed through, which suggests involvement of Customs Intelligence staff.
Sources said if the phone records of the arrested persons are checked, it could lead to Mushtaq Sargana, who is the key person and mastermind of this smuggling ring.
An official said Customs was committed to root out smuggling, which was adversely affecting the national economy as well as a source of funding anti-social elements.