Karachi: Customs Enforcement has lodged FIR No. against M/s Al-Haj Automotive (Pvt.) Limited for the illegal removal of bonded goods valued at more than Rs. 162.7 million, resulting in evasion of duties and taxes amounting to Rs. 164.4 million. The FIR, filed by Senior Preventive Officer Malik Muhammad Hashim, states that the company removed 60 sets of CKD components and tyres meant for the assembly of Proton X70 vehicles from its bonded warehouse without payment of leviable duties and taxes.
The investigation revealed that out of 120 sets imported and warehoused, only 60 were ex-bonded, while the remaining 60 should have been available in the warehouse. Physical stocktaking confirmed that none were present, establishing deliberate evasion. The FIR names directors Hilal Khan Afridi and Bilal Khan Afridi, along with other partners and customs agents, as being involved in the offence. The violations fall under multiple provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, making the offence punishable under several clauses.
This case was built under the guidance of Chief Collector Enforcement Basit Abbasi, with operational leadership provided by Collector Moiniddin Wani and Additional Collector Yasir Kalwar. Assistant Collector Tauseef Shaikh led the enforcement team comprising six Appraising Officers: Khawar Hashmi, Khizer Khurshid, Inam ul Haq Safdar, Amrat Lal, and Faiz Ahmed. Despite limited resources, the team carried out meticulous stocktaking and reconciliation, confirming the illegal removal of goods and securing evidence for prosecution.
The operation highlights the effectiveness of Customs Enforcement in safeguarding government revenue and demonstrates its growing role as a strong alternative enforcement arm, proving its capability even under resource constraints.