LAHORE: Deputy Collector of Customs Muhammad Hassan Farid has ordered the release of 1,120 kilogram foreign origin lining cloth in assorted colours and designs, brand Formosa on payment of duty and taxes and redemption fine equal to 20 percent.
The cloth was being smuggled on a pickup and was seized by Anti-Smuggling Organization Customs Preventive from Ring Road near Droghawala, Lahore.
The vehicle was loaded with cloth and the person driving the vehicle introduced himself as Muhammad Zafar son of Muhammad Ashraf and stated that he and four of his partners are the owners of the said cloth.
Thereafter the examination of the cloth was conducted in the presence of the owner, but he could not produce any documentary proof or otherwise in support of lawful import of the cloth.
On 15th May four persons namely Roa, Liaqat Ali, Muhammad Naeeam, Muhammad Zubair and Muhammad Shakeel appeared in office of Anti Smuggling Organization and showed their willingness to pay duty and taxes on the cloth. The deputy collector of customs judging the case ordered to release the cloth on payment of 20 percent redemption fine along with duty and taxes. The collector also imposed Rs35000 as a personnel penalty issuing the order consisting five pages.
