KARACHI: The Customs Court extended interim pre-arrest bail to suspect Roshan Junejo, Member National Assembly (MNA) of Pakistan People Party (PPP), his son of Ghayas Junejo, Sajawal Junejo, Navaid Yamin, Muhammad Aman Tariq, Rubina Gill, Khurram Dawood, Khurram Hussain Naqvi partner of M/s World Ocean Centre, Muhammad Sohail clearing agent, partner of M/s World Ocean Centre and others and fixed December 18, 2020 for framing charge, for smuggling of more than 6,000 bottles of liquor in the garb of diplomatic cargo through mis-declaration.
On 4 December 2020, during the hearing, above mentioned suspects appeared before the court along with their counsels, counsel for suspect Shahzada filed an application for returning accessories, court issued notice to the investigation officer.
After the hearing, the court fixed December 18, 2020 for framing charges and also extended their pre-arrest bail of the suspects.
On last date of hearing, investigation officer informs the court that on a credible information, Naveed Yameen in collusion with Ghayas Junejo had purchased import quota from the UAE embassy in Islamabad, using the letter’s identity, import credentials and customs dipliation exemption, therefore, such rights to repetitively import disproportionately higher and nominally different and more expensive liquor into Pakistan, all within the ambit of diplomatic imports, but actually with the intent and purpose of selling off such goods in the block market in the country afterwards.
He further stated that on that information, customs officials intercepted a truck loaded thereon as soon as it crossed the Hyderabad Toll Plaza, it was notices that the truck was escorted by two Sindh Police Vans and A Toyota Corolla Car, however, during the examination of container, customs officials found 6,000 bottles of foreign origin liquor of different brands to have been brought into the country without any valid entitlement exemption grant of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as such the whole lot of liquor along with twenty-foot container and truck bearing registration no C-1456 have been seized.
He further submitted that the customs clearing agent, M/s World Ocean Centre, have identified Muhammad Sadiq Memon, as the person who would deliver the UAE diplomatic import documents to them and later obtain delivery or custody of the container from them in thw wake of customs clearance. Muhammad Sadiq Memon is absconding at present.
