QUETTA: A truckload of branded footwear arriving at NLC Dry Port, Quetta, was found to contain used clothing in an apparent case of smuggling and pilferage, causing a loss of over PKR 8.6 million to the national exchequer.
On July 1, 2024, a truck bearing registration No. TLH-104, loaded with 7,150 kg of footwear joggers, arrived at the port. Importer M/s. Najeeb International, represented by clearing agent M/s Khasdan Enterprises, filed an import declaration for home consumption on November 20, 2024, under PCT 6309.0000.
However, upon examination, the consignment was found to include 248 packages of footwear shoes and 64 bales of used clothing, which were not declared at the time of entry or trans-loading.
Records from the Taftan Border Terminal revealed discrepancies in the goods’ description and quantities. The truck, initially loaded with 453 packages of branded footwear at Taftan, arrived at Quetta with only 248 packages, along with 64 bales of used clothing. This suggests that 205 packages of high-value branded joggers were removed during transit and replaced with lower-value used clothing.
Officials suspect the importer, M/s Najeeb International, their clearing agent, M/s Khasdan Enterprises, bonded carrier M/s Haji Fateh Khan Enterprises, and tracking company M/s TPL Tracker Ltd, Karachi, were involved in the pilferage. The conduct of the Directorate of Transit Trade staff is also under investigation.
An FIR has been lodged with the Special Judge Customs, Quetta, as further investigations continue.
Following instructions from Collector Quetta and Taftan Jameel Baloch, Additional Collector Taftan Kaleemullah has successfully streamlined all clearances and dismantled a network of wrongdoers.
Over 50 containers remain at the NLC, as importers are hesitant to file their Goods Declarations (GD) due to fear. More FIRs are anticipated as investigations continue.
Chief Collector Enforcement Basit Abbasi has instructed all collectorates to intensify crackdowns on smuggled goods. Despite staff shortages, a campaign has been launched in Karachi, led by Additional Collector Basit Hussain and Deputy Collector Raza Naqvi, to target and seize smuggled items.