Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated in-depth investigations in the affairs of M/s Zaniq Green pertaining to fraudulent evasion of government revenue.
M/s Zaniq Green attempted to clear high value goods in the garb of low value tyre scrap. As per modus operandi, high value goods were imported and mis-declared as tyre scrap, they these consignments were Trans shipped to Lahore dry port, where the importers had established an arrangement.
Then these high value goods including electronics, laptops, mobile phones and vapes etc. are cleared as scrap thus causing huge revenue loss to the national exchequer. Cartel is working since decades, they have they associates in Dubai, they have arrangements with shipping lines and Customs. There are certain people whom have been doing this dirty business and people know them, although they are not on the front as far as documents are concerned.
FIA has advised CEO Yaseen Shipping Lines Pvt. Limited to present before FIA Anti-Corruption Circle, Lahore. CEO of Yaseen Shipping Lines is acquainted with the facts/circumstances of this enquiry under probe in Federal Investigation Agency.
The CEO of also advised to being along details of all the cleared containers of M/s Zaniq Green Pvt. Limited, details of all the Bland details of all the business activities conducted by Yaseen Shipping on the behalf of M/s Zaniq Green.
FIA has also summoned documents submitted by exporter at Dubai Customs and Port in respect of all containers cleared of M/s Zaniq Green as well as scanning and sealing record of Dubai port and Customs in this regard.
FIA has also sough details regarding who did handling of documents in Dubai against all the import of said company, name of processor & receiver of BL documents in Dubai, name of processor of DO in Pakistan, who did pay the DO charges, shipping charges and containers security charges with complete details of bank accounts and details of the individuals who paid these and who received the delivery.
The case came to light when M/s Zaniq Green imported several consignments from Jebel Ali, which were declared as tyre scrap and were to be transported to the dry port in Lahore.
The importer is based in Karachi, and goods were destined to Karachi, but later IGM was amended because Collectors including Irfan Wahid and Tahir Qureshi were keeping strict check on wrongdoings. It is worth mentioning that this was the first TP in the import history of M/s Zaniq Green.
Member Customs Dr. Fareeq Iqbal Qureshi advised Chief Collector Muhammad Saleem that IGM of the M/s Zaniq Green consignment be amended and the consignment be moved to dry port Lahore as TP. Assistant Collector Saba amended the IGM.
Intelligence & Investigation (I&I) department in Lahore reported the matter to the Chief Collector of Punjab, highlighting concerns over the import and clearance of high-value goods under the guise of scrap. Despite the report, no immediate action was taken.
Under mounting pressure from I&I, a thorough examination of Zaniq Green’s consignment was ordered, which resulted in the discovery of high-value items such as laptops, electronics, and auto parts etc., instead of the declared scrap.
An official familiar with the matter stated that M/s Zaniq Green is a repeat offender known for clearing goods in Karachi. However, due to increased scrutiny in Karachi, the operations were shifted to Lahore’s dry port, allegedly with the support of a Punjab government politician.
There is a word among relevant circles that the entire collectorate of Customs Appraisement West including officers and appraisers are facilitating and patronizing revenue evasion. This instant case has exposed the involvement of Appraisement West Lahore, which is just tip of the iceberg. A comparison between Customs Appraisement Karachi and Lahore will reveal that revenue collection of Lahore is just half of that collected by Appraisement Karachi on similar goods.
Sources said the involvement of Customs staff and KICT staff is also being investigated and the ambit of enquiry would soon be expanded accordingly.