KARACHI: The mega scam of recovering betal nuts weighing in hundreds of tons remains in dark after higher authorities of Customs Preventive canceled the planned press conference.
The source informed Customs Today that Collector Customs Preventive Dr Iftekhar Ahmed was to chair a press conference yesterday at 5th floor Hall of the Customs House building in the noon over the mega case of recovered betal nuts. The press conference was canceled in just one after the second reminder for invite to attend the same was shared to the print and electronic media.
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PQA) has become an easy approach gateway for smugglers to get their contraband goods cleared violating the laws and taking the advantage of the green channel as several attempts have been foiled during the current month.
Pakistan Customs anti smuggling squads have recently apprehended the consignments of betal nuts detecting gross misuse of green channel facility as various high value goods are being cleared from green channel mis-declared as iron and steel scrap, whereas the other consignment was busted by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I).
Two main importers in the city usually imports seventy percent of the total Betal Nuts as per the need and the consignments were used to get cleared with the help of staff deputed at the Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PQA), the source added.
The matter is still under investigation as there is a chance that some officers deputed at the Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PQA) also involved in the case but it is too mature as there is a process to complete the findings and to reach at some particular position, source also informed.
The exercise yielded results and the Customs detected revenue evasion of 16.7 million of rupees last year in December which is a big amount and it is surprising to note that scrap consignments are being cleared through the green channel leaving wide room for mis-declaration and under-invoicing.
The spokesperson who is responsible to communicate on the behalf of the Pakistan Customs Preventive has informed that the press conference against the scam of busted betal nuts is delayed but not canceled. A press conference will be held at the same place whereas the date and timing will be shared to the electronic / print media very soon.
