KARACHI: The Customs Collectorate of Appraisement East is investigating misuse of pay-orders received in the securities section of the Collectorate.
The complainant, Muhammad Saleem Khan, Appraising Officer at Research and Development Section, Appraisement East, Customs House, Karachi has filed First Information Report (FIR) in this regard.
According to the FIR, that particular pay-order was subsequently deposited into un-authorized WeBOC personal deposit accounts of fake importers with the active connivance of concerned WeBOC Collection Counter staff of National Bank of Pakistan, Karachi.
Saleem Khan said that ongoing investigation revealed that pay order of amount of Rs1,437,387/ was misused. “The 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 PD Accounts of the un-authorized delinquent importers illegally.”
He mentioned that FIR has been launched against Khan Muhammad, proprietor of Noman Trading Company, located at Shenwari Padas Khel, Kyber Agency, Landikotal, KPK and Muhammad Rafiq, I/c WeBOC Collection Counter, OG-II, situated at NBP, Customs House Branch, Karachi.
Saleem Khan 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 funds deposited are utilised by the owner of PD Accounts for payment of duty and taxes towards their 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.”
He added that a pay-order number P.O No 9733910 dated 14/12/2016 issued by Faysal Bank, New Charlli Branch, Karachi on account of M/s Elahi Traders (NTN 1507198), authorized importer, was illegally and allegedly deposited into PD Account of Noman Trading Company (NTN 4440216-3), whose owner is accused Khan Muhammad.
He also 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 WeBOCsystem and the name of authorised importer on pay-order.”
Saleem Khan observed that only, if both names are matched, the pay-order should be accepted for PD account deposit. Otherwise, it is not allowed. The complainant claimed that Muhammad Rafiq entered the NTN number of accused Khan Muhammad despite the fact that the pay-order was in the name of M/s Elahi Traders. 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.
