A case of smuggling of foreign origin goods from a customs warehouse in D.G. Khan has been exposed, involving some customs officials and a notorious smuggler. The goods, which included skimmed milk, shopping bags, cloth, and shelled almonds, were worth millions of rupees and were originally intercepted by the customs staff at JCP Sakhi Sarwar Check Post on 31st January, 2024.
According to sources, the customs staff acted on a tip-off from Collector Ali Abbas Gardezi and Deputy Collector Dr Zohaib Sandhela, who received credible information that Ishaq Parkani, a resident of Quetta, was planning to smuggle the goods from Quetta to Multan. The staff seized a truck trailer bearing registration number TLA-102, which was carrying the goods, and moved it to the customs warehouse in D.G. Khan under the custody of a customs squad.
However, on the night of 1st February, 2024, Parkani, along with 10 to 12 labourers, entered the warehouse with the help of Superintendent Shahid Nasim, Inspector Ghulam Mustafa, and driver Talib Hussain, who were in charge of the warehouse. They unlocked and opened the doors of the container and transferred the goods to another truck, which they drove out of the warehouse in the morning of 2nd February, 2024, by misleading the gate security staff.
The theft was discovered by another customs official, who rushed to the warehouse with some sepoys and found the container empty. The CCTV footage confirmed the involvement of Parkani and the customs officials in the smuggling. The watch keepers of the warehouse also gave their written statements corroborating the incident.
An FIR has been lodged against the accused and investigations are underway. The customs authorities have vowed to take strict action against the culprits and recover the stolen goods. The incident has raised questions about the integrity and security of the customs staff and the warehouse.