QUETTA: Umar Shafique, recently appointed as Collector of Enforcement Quetta, has taken decisive action by nominating and arresting his own inspector for involvement in corruption.
This sends a strong message to the entire field force. Acting on credible information received from Deputy Collector Mustafa Zamir regarding the illegal removal of vehicles from NLC Terminal Taftan, relevant Field Enforcement Units (FEUs) were alerted to remain vigilant and verify all vehicles in the system to recover the illegally removed cargo.
The staff of FEU Dalbandin intercepted a 22-wheeler trailer with registration number TLX-692. The driver presented a Goods Declaration (GD) showing the cargo as ‘Almonds without shell (US origin) & Cashew Nuts (Vietnam origin)’. Verification in the CIM Module revealed the original GD described the cargo as ‘Raisins (Iran origin)’.
On the same night, two more vehicles, a 22-wheeler and a 12-wheeler, were intercepted by FEU Nokund staff. The driver of the 22-wheeler with registration number TLY-773 presented a GD describing the goods as ‘Almond without shell (US origin)’. However, system verification showed the GD described ‘Dry Plum (Aloo Bukhara) (Iran origin)’ with a different vehicle number.
Similarly, the driver of the 12-wheeler with registration number TLE-991 presented a GD for ‘Almond without shell (US origin) and Cashew nuts (Vietnam origin)’, which showed no record in the system, indicating incorrect or ungated GD from the terminal. PRAL data showed the GD was cleared for ‘Raisins’ with a different vehicle number.
The total value of the seized goods in the three vehicles is Rs. 476 million. Investigations revealed that a clerk (Munshi) on behalf of the clearing agent provided fake GDs to the drivers, directing them to Quetta. The importer and clearing agent for the vehicles is M/s. Fortune Enterprises, Lahore. All gate passes from NLC Yard Taftan were found to be issued by gate staff.
Preliminary investigations identified Inspector Malik Zain (BS-16), posted at NLC Terminal Taftan Gates, as responsible for allowing the gate-out of vehicles with irrelevant GDs. Records indicate his involvement, and he reportedly received a substantial bribe for this illegal act. Malik Zain has been nominated in the relevant FIRs and arrested for facilitating the illegal removal of vehicles without proper duty and tax payments. He will be presented before the Special Judge Customs tomorrow.
At a recent meeting, Umar Shafique emphasized the importance of stopping the movement of smuggled goods on roads as the first step, followed by targeting warehouses.