ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Spokesman Shahid Hussain Asad has said that the department is busy in preparation of Budget 2015-16 which is going to be announced on June 5, 2015 and after that “we will start our routine official activities.”
He stated this while talking to Customs Today about a query on misappropriations in assessments, valuations and clearance at the hands of appraisers at the Port Qasim.
However, he added that the Customs Department is being headed by Member Customs Nisar Ahmad Khan should be taken on board about the issues of importers related to Appraisers of Port Qasim.
It is pertinent to mention here that according to reports corruption is rampant at Port Qasim as few Appraisers were not clearing importer’s consignments unless they are paid hush money.
Importers informed that hush money is rule of the day at the Port Qasim as imported goods are being released by the Appraisers for kickbacks, imposing billions of rupees losses in terms of duty and taxes to the national kitty.
On the other hand, top custom officials on the condition of anonymity told Customs Today that the issue will be taken up in a high-level meeting.