KARACHI: A shocking corruption scandal has rocked the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement in Karachi, involving an Appraising Officer (AO) and a network of private individuals and clearing agents. The scandal, which has caused significant revenue losses to the national exchequer, came to light after a detailed investigation by the Customs authorities, supported by forensic evidence and bank records.
The Accused and Their Roles
The primary accused, Muhammad Ismail, an Appraising Officer posted in the Central Appraisement Unit (CAU), is alleged to have orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to collect illegal gratification from clearing agents and importers. Ismail, along with his accomplices, including Ayaz Ali, Muhammad Ibrahim (his brother and an RPM Operator at the Directorate of NNDA), and others, allegedly exploited their positions to extort money in exchange for facilitating customs clearances.
The accused used a WhatsApp group titled “Recovery Section CAU” to coordinate their activities. Ismail shared Goods Declaration (GD) numbers and contact details of clearing agents with Ayaz Ali, who then demanded payments. The funds were collected through cash, bank transfers, or Easypaisa accounts, with some amounts deposited into the bank account of M/s Overseas International Cargo, a company owned by Zahid Javed. Forensic reports confirm that over Rs. 6.94 million was withdrawn from this account by Muhammad Ibrahim.
Modus Operandi
The scheme involved the following steps:
1. Data Theft: Ismail obtained confidential customs clearance data, including importer and agent details, through Syed Noman Ali Naqvi (an ex-PRAL employee) and Syed Naveed Hussain (a current PRAL employee). This data was shared via WhatsApp.
2. Extortion: Ismail and his team contacted clearing agents, demanding payments in exchange for smooth processing of GDs. Ayaz Ali acted as the frontman, collecting payments and forwarding them to Ismail.
3. Money Laundering: Payments were funneled through bank accounts and Easypaisa, with significant sums withdrawn by Ibrahim.
Key Evidence
– Forensic Reports: WhatsApp chats retrieved from seized mobile phones reveal explicit discussions about bribes and GD numbers.
– Bank Records: Transactions totaling millions of rupees were traced to accounts linked to the accused.
– Confessions: Ayaz Ali and others admitted their roles in written statements, corroborating the evidence.
Statements from Witnesses
– Imran Aslam Gul, the complainant and Principal Appraiser, stated that Ismail’s activities were uncovered after a preliminary probe revealed his collusion with private individuals.
– Manzoor Ali Rajpar, the initial Investigation Officer, recorded confessions from Ayaz Ali and others, detailing their involvement.
– Bank Officials confirmed suspicious transactions, including large withdrawals by Ibrahim.
Legal Action
The accused have been charged under Clause (82), (86), 100, and 105 of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969, along with relevant sections of the CrPC. While some accused are on interim bail, the investigation is ongoing, with authorities scrutinizing additional GDs for potential revenue losses.
Broader Implications
This case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in customs operations, where corrupt officials and private actors collude to defraud the government. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has vowed to tighten oversight and implement stricter controls to prevent such scams in the future.
Next Steps
The investigation team is preparing a supplementary challan to include further evidence as it emerges. The case is being closely monitored by higher authorities, with calls for stringent penalties to deter similar offenses.
Conclusion: The scandal underscores the need for transparency and accountability in customs procedures. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of corruption in public offices.