KARACHI: The Customs Court directed the investigation officer of Anti-Smuggling Organization to conduct investigation and submit progress report of 26 first information reports (FIR) registered against including owner of outlet Saleem Akhtar Ali and others, who were involved for sale of smuggled Petroleum products.
On 10 February 2021, investigation officer submitted FIRs and informed the court that in pursuance to federal government initiative and Federal Board of Revenue’s directives, a country wide operation was launched against the illegal POL, outlets/ dumping sites to the effect that the smuggled/ non-duty paid petroleum products are being sold at these outlets operating in various parts of the country.
He stated that consequently, a joint team comprising officers of the customs, district management and police department was constituted to counter verify the legality of these POL outlets and products therein.
He argued that during the operation, customs officials found huge quantities of POL from different outlets and during conducting operation, officials of these outlets failed to produce any lawful documents of petroleum products, therefore, after the formalities, customs officials seized the same and FIRs have been registered against owners of the outlets.
After the hearing, the court takes FIRs into court record and directs him to complete investigation and submit progress report for next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s), read with sections 16, 156(2), 157, 178 and 187 of the customs act, 1969 and the rules made thereunder, further read with section 3(I) of import & export control act, 1950.
