KARACHI: MCC Appraisement West has lodged two FIRs against several importers and clearing agents for importing and clearing vehicles against submission of fake Proceed Realization Certificates (PRC), Encashment Certificates.
Information was passed through Chief Collector Appraisement South Wajid Ali to Collector Appraisement West Tahir Qureshi and Collector Appraisement East Fayyaz Rasool that some unscrupulous elements are engaged in clearance of vehicles against submission of fake Proceed Realization Certificates (PRCs)/ Encashment Certificates.
On the directives of Chief Collector South, subsequent verifications of these documents from concerned bank were conducted.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Ministry of Commerce inserted certain legal requirements vide Appendix-E of the Import Policy Order to be fulfilled for the import of old/used vehicles by Overseas Pakistanis availing baggage/transfer of residence and gift schemes.
Accordingly, all vehicles in new/used condition to be imported under transfer of residence, personal baggage and under gift scheme, the duty and taxes shall be paid out of foreign exchange arranged by Pakistan nationals themselves or local recipient supported by bank encashment certificate showing conversion of foreign remittance to local currency.
The remittance for payment of duties and taxes shall originate from the account of Pakistani national sending the vehicle from abroad; and the remittance shall either be received in the account of the Pakistani national sending the vehicle from abroad or, in case, his account is non-existent or inoperative, in the account of his/her family”
The accused persons imported vehicles on fake PRCs and Encashment Certificates. Two FIRs are lodged and investigations are underway.
An official said clearing agents were not involved, in fact the importers (mostly auto dealers) are doing the fraud. The official said Customs Agents should assist authorities in identifying actual culprits, and clearing their positions.