KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is progressing in its investigations pertaining to the involvement of Customs officers and officials in facilitating the organized smuggling, and receiving bribes from smugglers.
A raid was conducted at the house of Senior Preventive Officer Tayyab. Although Tayyab was not at home, a search was conducted. FIA recovered one pistol; Rs0.7 million approximately in cash and empty jewelry boxes. FIA reportedly also asked Tayyab’s family about the jewelry that was in empty boxes. They were also asked to provide purchase receipts of the jewelry.
Sources said FIA was trying to trace SPO Tayyab and Preventive Officer Shahbaz as well as sepoy Shamroz to proceed in its investigations.
The FIA registered a case against two Customs officials including Tariq Mehmood and Yawar Abbas under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. According to the FIR, the accused officers facilitated the smuggling of goods worth billions of rupees from Baluchistan to Karachi and other parts of the country and received millions of rupees as bribes from the smugglers.
The FIR further stated that the FIA recovered a diary from the office of SPS Tariq Mehmood, which contained details of the payments made to various officers by the smugglers. The diary also revealed that the accused officers had formed a cartel and divided the areas of operation among themselves.
Raid at the house of Tayyab was conducted on the pointing of the accused in custody. Tariq Mehmood and Yawar are on police custody remand till July 27, 2023.