KARACHI: The Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East) has registered First Information Report against illegal removal of pay-order in the Securities Section of the Collectorate.
The complainant, Muhammad Qadeer Khan, Appraising Officer at Research and Development Section, of Appraisement (East), Customs House, Karachi has filed the FIR in this regard.
According to the FIR, Faiz Sarwar, owner of the M/s FA Corporation, Shop No42 Ground Floor, Scheme No 5, KDA, Kehkashan, Clifton, Karachi and Muhammad Rafiq, I/c WeBOC Collection Counter, OG-II, National Bank of Pakistan, Customs House Branch, Karachi were allegedly involved in misusing pay-order of Rs 2, 266, 383/-.
It is alleged that particular pay-order was deposited into the personal deposit accounts of unofficial importers illegally with the active connivance of the National Bank of Pakistan staff deployed at the Pakistan Customs Computerised System (WeBOC).
The FIR said that information was received that some unscrupulous elements are involved in illegal removal of pay-orders from Securities Section of the Collectorate and depositing those into the personal deposit accounts of un-authorised importers.
It further said that personal deposit or pact-deposit account is a facility by which government allows the users of WeBOC system (traders as well as customs agents) to deposit their funds with the government in advance.
The FIR added that the funds deposited are utilized by the owner of PD accounts for payment of duty and taxes towards his customs liabilities arising in WeBOC system during the course of import/export by the owner. These PD Accounts are maintained on the basis of NTN of the WeBOC user.”
The FIR mentioned that customs official received the information that a pay-order number 2626509 dated 03/01/2017 of Rs2,266,383/- was issued by Meezan Bank Limited, Karachi on account of M/s NSB Bearing private limited, authorized importer, was illegally and allegedly deposited into PD Account of FA Corporation, whose owner is accused Faiz Sarwar..
The FIR mentioned that Muhammad Rafiq was actively involved in this illegal depositing of pay-order. “At the time of deposit of funds into PD Accounts by the NBP, the WeBOC system asks the NTN number of PD Account Holder, in which funds are to be deposited. After entering NTN number by the bank official, the WeBOC system displays name of the PD Account Holder. It is responsibility of concerned functionary of NBP to check the PD Account Holder name displayed by the WeBO system and the name of authorised importer on pay-order.”
The FIR revealed that only, if both names are matched, the pay-order should be accepted for PD account deposit. Otherwise, it is not allowed. It claimed that Muhammad Rafiq entered the NTN number of accused Faiz Sarwar despite the fact that the pay-order was in the name o M/s NSB Bearing (Pvt) Ltd
The FIR also mentioned that the co-accused Muhammad Rafiq has submit false information into WeBOC system electronically in order to defraud the government from its legitimate asset and committed a fiscal fraud as defined under Sections 32A of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under clause 14A of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act 1969.
The FIR claimed that funds deposited into PD account of the accused were utilised by both persons and they collaborated and abetted each other being partners in this crime.
