KARACHI: The customs court framed charge against suspects namely Zakir Ullah, Bakhtiar Muhammad and Muhamad Yasir, who were nominated in first information report (FIR) smuggling of foreign origin fabric.
On 15 March 2021, investigation officer of the case, above mentioned accused persons and their counsel appeared before the court, after formalities, court framed charges and adjourned the case for the next date of hearing.
Earlier, investigation officer submits progress report against above mentioned suspects who are drivers and other staff and also against owners/ proprietors/ partners/ beneficiary of M/s Laiba Industries Pvt Ltd and informed the court that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted three Hino Trucks bearing registration numbers JZ-5706, JZ 6583 and JY-6947 and recovered 18, 690 kg assorted foreingn origin fabric in different colors, 28, 465 kg assorted foreign origin fabric in different colors and 47, 155 kg foreign origin fabric in different colors total values of Rs. 79, 071, 861.
He further stated that after the recovery, drivers were asked to produce lawful documents of good, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents and during investigation, it was revealed that some unscrupulous persons are engaged in the illegal removal/ clearance of foreign origin fabric from Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) on the basis of fake/ irrelevant documents causing thereby heavy loss of revenue to the public exchequer.
Investigation officer states that after the formalities, goods were seized along with vehicles and FIR was lodged against them for violation of under section 2(s) 16, 32, 157 (2) & 178 of the customs act, 1969 punishable under clauses (8)(9) (14)(89) & (90) of sub section (1) & (2) of section 156ibid read with section 3 of import & export trade control act, 1950.
