ISLAMABAD: The Customs staff deputed at New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) recovered huge quantity of foreign currency worth Rs38.69 million from two passengers who were inside PIA flight PK: 233 which was ready to fly.
The accused persons stated that the currency was handed over to them after clearance by FIA and Customs staff through an employ of PIA.
NIIA Additional Collector Nisar Phularwal said that a credible information was received from the Chief Collector North Islamabad on 27-09-2018 that an organized gang involved in foreign currency smuggling, money laundering and terrorist financing will attempt to smuggle huge amount of foreign currency from NIIA through PIA International flight PK-233.
Nisar said that in order to foil the attempt, a team headed by Additional Collector Ayesha Bashir Wani, Assistant Collector Airport Farheen Zahra and Majid Hussain Gaad was formed. The Customs officers conducted whole operation in professional way which led to recovery of foreign currency from accused namely Anayat Khan of Peshawar and Gulam Dastigar who belongs to Kohat, both were arrested on the spot.
Additional Collector Nisar said that seized foreign currency includes 100,000 Euros, 1100 pound sterling, 207,400 Saudi Riyal, 430,000 UAE dirham, 41,600 Qatri Riyal, 2,220 Omani Riyal, 435 Kuwaiti dinar, 500 Behrain dinar and in total the money estimated in Pak rupees is Rs38.69 million.
It is pertinent to mention here that one of the accused persons namely Anayat Khan had already boarded in aircraft and he was arrested along with foreign currency from inside the aircraft.
Additional Collector Nisar said that currency has been seized while the accused have been arrested and an FIR has been registered against them whereas further investigations are in under process.
