KARACHI: Directorate General of Transit Trade has seized large number of Indian origin consignments mis-declared as ‘White Crystalline Sugar’, destined to be consumed in Afghanistan, as the sugar was expired and unfit for human consumption. The value of the seized goods is $5.7 million.

Transit of sugar unfit for human consumption through the corridor of Pakistan is not allowed as Pakistan is a signatory to a number of international conventions, which impose binding obligation for control and regulation regime.

Information was received through Director Transit Trade Zeba Azhar regarding arrival of sub-standard sugar for onward transit to Afghanistan. On her directives, Deputy Director Iqbal Memon derived samples from the consignments for test. The laboratory results confirmed the commodity to be unfit for human consumption.

As many as 53 Contravention Reports have been served on importer M/s Farid Asif Ltd, Afghanistan and clearing agent M/s E-Movers, Karachi for attempting to hoodwink Customs by transiting sugar unfit for human consumption in the garb of fake declarations.