KARACHI: Under the supervision of Chief Collector Jamil Nasir Khan, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement East registered a first information report (FIR) against M/s Khewra Kohsar Services for clearing a consignment through forge/fake documents.
Sources said that Collector Naveed Ilahi received credible information that fake documents being utilized to clear a suspicious container.
He immediately forwarded the information to Deputy Collector Saima Butt, indicating suspicious activity involving a container bearing the number GVCU5102363 and linked to BL No. OOLU2737414350. This consignment, which had arrived at Karachi Port, was suspected of being imported under fraudulent circumstances, utilizing forged documents to clear a shipment of fireworks.
Acting on credible information, the consignment was scanned, revealing a discrepancy between the declared contents (clothing items such as shirts and pants) and the actual goods. Consequently, a comprehensive physical examination was conducted at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) by a joint team, including KICT Examination Staff, officials from the Intelligence Branch (AIB), and a representative from the Department of Explosives.
According to Serial No. 46 of Part-1 of Appendix-13 of the Import Policy Order 2022, fireworks classified under PCT heading Code 3604.1000 are subject to stringent import regulations. These regulations require compulsory physical examination by explosives experts, with the Department of Explosives, Ministry of Industries, granting import permissions only to applicants with valid licenses under the Explosive Rules of 2010. However, in this case, the consignment was falsely declared as clothing, attempting to bypass these stringent checks.
The act of the importer and their accomplices constitutes multiple offenses under Section 2(s), 16, 32(1) of the Customs Act, 1969, and Section 3(1) of the Import & Export (Control) Act, 1950. These offenses are punishable under clauses 1, 8(b) & 14 of Section 156 (1) of the Customs Act, 1969, and Section 3(3) of the Import & Export (Control) Act, 1950, along with relevant provisions of SRO 499(1)/2009 dated 13-06-2009. Additionally, the consignment is subject to confiscation.
Collectorate of Customs registered FIR against Khewra Kohsar Services and forwarded the case to Customs Court.
