ISLAMABAD: Collector Customs Adjudication SadiqUllah Khan has ordered in Order-in-Original No. 111 of 2018 to confiscate the tempered vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TX due to violation of Section 2(s) 16, 32, 168 and 178 of Customs Act 1969.
The vehicle was under the use of the British diplomat Roger James Coventry (First Secretary) in British High Commission.
According to details, it was reported by the Superintendent Customs (Car Section) Islamabad Dry Port that British High Commission, Islamabad applied to the office for issuance of “No Objection Certificate” in respect of diplomat used vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Model 2000, being chassis no: RZJ95-0012992, engine no: 3RZ, registration no: CD-080-449, belonging to Roger James Coventry, First Secretary British High Commission Islamabad, on the basis of sale permission No. P(IV) 528 issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted permission for sale of the vehicle to a non-privileged person on payment of duty and taxes. The documents were presented to Car Section, Islamabad Dry port, Islamabad by Adnan Aziz, Protocol Officer, on behalf of Roger James First Secretary British High Commission. The vehicle was examined in the presence or representative of high commission.
During physical examination, chassis number of the vehicle was found suspicious. The vehicle was referred to Forensic Science Laboratory, Islamabad for chemical examination of chassis number of vehicle. The Forensic Laboratory confirmed that the chassis number has been tampered.
The vehicle was imported by Julian Elliot Salisbury, Third Secretary of British High Commission, Islamabad against Exemption Certificate No. 4983 issued by the foreign ministry which was released without duty and taxes by the Customs Appraisement Karachi, vide Good Declaration (GD) No. KPPI-PP-30295. Later on, he sold his vehicle to Roger James. Collector Customs mentioned that the British High Commission fully cooperated with Pakistan Customs.
The High Commissioner has physically surrendered the vehicle to Pakistan at the Dry Port. The British High Commission has assured the Pakistan Custom that BHC is seriously concerned and taking all possible steps to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future while importing vehicle.
The British High Commission also disclosed that the vehicle was registered with chassis number RZJ95-0012992 in United Kingdom and was imported by a diplomatic staff member soon after purchased from a second hand car dealer.
The Pakistan Customs was examined the vehicle at the time of import and issued goods declaration and confirmed chassis number correct.
