KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken notice on a complaint regarding green channel misuse in Pakistan Customs and sought a detailed report within ten days after which the authorities concerned have started probe into green channel illegal clearances.
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Tariq Mehmood Pasha has directed the authorities concerned to dig up the record of last five years to find out if any corrupt practices have been done by any senior officers of the Pakistan Customs.
It has also been directed to compile record of the responsible authority who provided the blanket to the crime and did not pay attention to overcome the menace of smuggling and compile report as soon as possible.
The source informed Customs Today that not only the investigations against the fire that engulfed the particular area of the Customs House second floor which revealed major negligence of the staff will be opened but the mega scam of smuggling of several tons of betel nuts will now be discussed thoroughly.
“We must not forget the green channel through which several consignments of contraband items have been cleared by smugglers and it is now the main focus of the authorities,” informed the source.
Several consignments of scrap and mobile phones along with other items have been cleared through mis-declaration taking advantage of the green channel and some customs officials & importers are also involved in smuggling, added the source.
It is worth mentioning here that it was Customs Today that picked up the issue of green channel smuggling at larger scale and published the stories on daily basis regarding the corrupt practices in Pakistan Customs after which the country’s top court ordered the inquiry.
