KARACHI: MCC Port Qasim has lodged 4 FIRs against a particular group of persons for evading government revenue and getting delivery of imported goods by presenting fake and forged pay orders.
All the four FIRs have nominated Kashif Chatni, Mohsin and Nehaal. M/s Voroly Impex, M/s Jubilee Textiles, M/s Iqra Textiles and M/s Gravity Trading Company have also been nominated in these FIRs.
Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have issued stern directives to plug revenue leakage and eliminate mis-declaration and under-invoicing. In line with the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Steering Committee on Anti-smuggling, Pakistan Customs being the country’s lead Anti-Smuggling Organization has also stepped up enforcement actions in coordination with other Law Enforcement Agencies.
On the directives of Collector MCC Port Qasim Mumtaz Khoso, Additional Collector Hoonak Baloch and Deputy Collector Zamzam Aman tightened vigilance on all imports and Customs assessment. Information was received that the above mentioned companies imported assorted fabrics and claimed the benefit of SRO 1125(I)/2011 i.e. zero rating of sales tax.
On physical examination and lab tests, it was found the goods didn’t match with their declaration and assessed on the basis of prevailing valuation ruling allowing 9.0% sales tax instead of claimed zero rating.
The importers did not agree with the assessment of goods and approached the High Court of Sindh. The court directed Customs for reconsideration and provisional assessment of the consignments. The importers in connivance with Kashif Chatni, Mohsin and Nehal submitted pay order for the differential amount of the duty and taxes and took the delivery of the goods.
A suspicion was raised during scrutiny of the pay orders, which were proved fake and bogus on verification from the banks. In this way the accused caused a revenue loss of Rs63.5 million to the national exchequer.
Collector Mumtaz Khoso has assigned Additional Collector CIU Mumtaz Shahani and Deputy Collector Umar Latif to investigate the case, while efforts are underway to arrest the accused.
It may be mentioned here that the same cartel of culprits has been involved in submitting fake cheaques to MCC Port Qasim and misuse of SRO 1125(I)/2011 through bogus companies causing huge revenue loss to the exchequer. However, despite unearthing of the scams, nothing could be recovered so far.