KARACHI: Keeping in line with the directions of Member-Customs Tariq Huda and the Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South) Wajid Ali to curb the menace of mis-declarations and possible submission of fake documents for the clearance of old & used vehicles, Collector Appraisement (West), Karachi Tahir Qureshi tightened the controls and kept extra vigilance on the clearance of vehicles.
In this regard, Car Group of the Collectorate was directed to scrutinize and check the documents submitted for the clearance of old & used vehicles.
During scrutiny a credible information was received by the Collector of Customs Appraisement (West) that some unscrupulous elements are engaged in clearance of vehicles against submission of fake Proceed Realization Certificates (PRCs)/ Encashment Certificates as required by Import Policy Order to be fulfilled for the import of old and used vehicles by overseas Pakistanis availing baggage/transfer of residence and gift schemes.
The selected PRCs which were submitted by the customs agents and duly verified by the relevant bank branches were checked again and found “fake”.
The preliminary inquiry into the matter has revealed that accused importers in connivance with representative/proprietor of customs agents and others, involved in abetting, facilitating and association in preparing fake PRCs and their subsequent verification letters are involved in the clearance of vehicles on fake documents.
The relevant record i.e. original PRCs, letters submitted by customs agents for verification, earlier verification replies of banks, verification replies of head office of banks were seized.
The used vehicles including one Nissan Clipper, one Toyota Vitz, one Toyota Passo and two Suzuki Every Vans were also seized.
The market value of the seized vehicles is approximately Rs10 million.
The role of bank staff with reference to issuance and verification of fake PRCs/Encashment Certificate and other facilitators/abettors is also being determined.