MULTAN: Collectorate of Customs Appraisement West detected the mega tax evasion scam on the clearance of M/s Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases goods and Multan Customs has also lodged criminal case against clearing agent in this regard.
According to details, Collector Appraisement West Tahir Qureshi t received credible information from source and directed Additional Collector Yasir Kalwar and Deputy Collector Raza Naqvi to take action strict action regarding M/s Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases (MIKD) with active connivance of their authorized clearing agent Mass Traders are indulged in importing and getting cleared the items on suppressed value, which are not related to the declared objective of the Institute, in commercial quantity while availing exemption of duties and taxes under Special Classification Provision. Thus, they have inflicted heavy losses to the legitimate government revenue by availing the exemption which otherwise was not due.
It was further reported that few unscrupulous elements are selling the said items in the local market instead of bringing the same for in-house usage of the Multan Institute of Kidney Disease as per requirement of the exempting law.
In order to check the legitimacy of the information, a consignment of the MIKD imported was put to detailed scrutiny. Upon physical examination, it is found that the quantity of the imported items has been mis-declared besides, the consignment is also containing items like Exercise Elliptical Trainer, Water Bath, Broadband Wi-Fi Router Device, Old and Used Epon Router Device, Laptop Battery, Laser Printer Toner Cartridge, Dental Gum Tip and Bathroom Weight Scale e.t.c. which are not relevant for advancing the declared objectives of a Kidney Institute.
Multan Customs Enforcement Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department has lodged FIR against Dr. Ghulam Abbas Executive Director, (MIKD), Manzoor Ahmed Saqib Owner of Mass Traders, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Incharge X-Ray Department/Import Purchase (MIKD), Asad Iqbal Sheikh and others under the relevant provisions of law.
Further Investigations are underway which may lead to unearthing the whole scam.Meanwhile. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made examination of imports by Charitable Institutions and Hospitals; goods donated to non -profit making educational and research institutions and Gifts or donations received by a charitable non-profit making hospital or institution, solely for the purpose of advancing the declared objectives of such hospital or institution.
In order to ensure proper check over exemptions claimed under Chapter 99 of Pakistan Customs Tariff by importers, Customs has decided that all the GDs wherein exemption of Chapter No. 9913, 9914, 9915, 9925 and 9938 is claimed will be marked to examination for the confirmation of description, quantity, weight and all other related aspects.
Moreover, the assessment of these GDs to be finalized at AC/DC level for specially checking source of donation, profile of recipient and magnitude of imports viz-a-viz the activity claimed by the recipient institute / organization.
