KARACHI: Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two Chinese nationals and registered a case against an oil and gas surveying company, its clearing agent, customs officials for submitting forged documents for clearance of surveying equipment causing Rs 513 million loss to the government exchequer.
A high official of the FIA told Customs Today that after surfacing some solid evidences an FIR No. 33/2017 has been registered against a Chinese oil and gas surveying company M/s BGP (Pakistan) International, its clearing agent M/s IMT Co, customs officials and others on the allegation of preparing/ submitting fake/bogus corporate guarantee for clearance of their surveying equipment worth Rs 677 million.
The FIA has broadened the investigation and have sought import record from Karachi Custom House to arrest custom officials involved in this mega scam.
Two Chinese nationals have been arrested on Thursday namely Zhong Zhongmin, the Country Manager and Li Chonhong, Deputy Country Manager of BGP (Pakistan) International.
M/s BGP (Pakistan) International is also facing proceedings before customs authorities. However, the company got a stay order from the Sindh High Court (SHC) against adjudicating proceedings. The SHC has directed BGP Pakistan International to deposit 1 percent surcharge on all temporary imports for expired Corporate Guarantees.
M/s BGP Pakistan International has deposited Rs 160 million against 125 temporary imports. During the course of inquiry, the FIA has calculated that the total outstanding amount against M/s BGP Pakistan International stands at Rs 513 million.
On the other hand another FIA officer has informed that Zhong Zhongmin and Li Chonhong, Country Manager and Deputy Country Manager of the Chinese firm M/s BGP (Pakistan) International were detained on Wednesday for “preparing/submitting fake/bogus corporate guarantee for clearance of their surveying equipment valued at Rs 677 million,” said a statement issued by the investigative agency.
The Chinese firm, its clearing agent M/s IMT Co, Customs officials and others have been named in the FIR registered by the FIA, revealed the statement.
In March this year, the FIA held two Chinese nationals for stealing ATM card data by attaching a skimming device along with a spy camera panel at a local bank in the metropolis. Later, a case was registered against the Chinese nationals who were identified as Zhong Xianquan and Zhong Xianming.
