KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspects namely Muhammad Iqbal and Yasir Ali, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle and sale of Direct to Home (DTH) equipment in open market.
On November 12, 2018, the accused moved bail petitions through their counsels, who argued that their clients are innocents and were falsely booked in this case, who are giving assurance that they will be appeared before the court each and every date of hearing.
After hearing, the court granted their bail against the surety of Rs100,000 and directed them to appear before the court on next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, on an informed that in the light of suo moto notice of Chief Justice of Pakistan regarding availability and illegal sale of DTH equipment in open market used to broadcast Indian channels and transfer of money charged against these services and shifting to abroad through illegal channels, a team of customs department, FIA, PEMRA raided a godown situated at Korangi No 5-1/2, Karachi.
He submitted that raid team found thousands of different foreign branded DTH, dish TV switch, STAR GOLD satellite dish antenna HD Ready, dish, platinum, Satcom, fast radio frequency remote control for DH (Indian) and other goods worth Rs14,295,000.
He further informed the court that investigations are in progress and after completion, outcome will also be communicated/shared with FIA and PEMRA for further course of action which would be adopted invoking the relevant section of PPC, PECA, Anti-Money Laundering Act/ FERA after proper interrogation of accused persons and the hawala operators etc as envisaged under the relevant laws.