KARACHI: The supply and distribution of smuggled Iranian diesel is flourishing in Pakistan as the relevant Customs authorities are patronizing the smugglers while an oil marketing company is providing legal cover to the distribution.
Smuggling causes collateral damage to the economy while the money earned from this dirty business is funding anti-social and terrorist elements in the country under-mining all the efforts of country’s brave and dedicated military.
Smugglers of Iranian diesel have formed dump points in Balochistan. The commodity is supplied through launches via Dasht, Kund Malir, Hub industrial area. There are several industrial units in Hub industrial area, but actual these industrial units are dumping grounds.
This poses a grave security threat as these storage points have not been made as per proper standards. One oil marketing companies (OMC), Byco Petroleum has also formed its unit office in Hub industrial area. Sources said tankers filled with smuggled Irani diesel are issued fake invoices by the unit office of the said oil marketing company and the smuggled commodity is then supplied to fuel stations across Sindh under a legal cover.
Additional Commissioner Ashfaq Tunio in his report couple of years back mentioned that Byco Petroleum was involved in issuing fake invoices to provide legal cover to the distribution of smuggled Irani diesel.
Then Director I&I Asif Marghoob Siddiqui formed an investigation team in this regard headed by a superintendent, but the case couldn’t be pursued at length.
One Inspector posted at ASO Karachi for the last 10 years is said to be patronizing rather operating distribution of the smuggled Irani diesel. Former Director General I&I Lutfullah Virk had transferred the said Inspector to Hyderabad, but he managed his transfer back to ASO Karachi within three months.
Sources allege the Customs Intelligence & Investigation is getting Rs0.35 million as bribe on the movement/distribution of a 40,000 liters tanker.
Moreover, the smuggled diesel is also dumped at Kati Pahari, Manghopir, Yousuf Goth and Orangi Town in Karachi. These dumping points pose severe safety threat as these are well populated areas. The commodity is supplied from these points through Suzuki pick-ups. Over 100 vehicles are employed by these smugglers and every vehicle allegedly pays Rs0.15 million every month to Customs Intelligence authorities.
The supplies to Punjab are routed through Dadu and these smugglers have developed routes through the Katcha areas. Sources said one Badshah Khan, Aslam Panjgori, Haji Mudeer and several other persons are active and running this dirty business.
An official said there was no office decorum at Directorate General of Customs Intelligence & Investigation and senior officers including ASO directors at various directorates are helpless and the lower staff, being in direct contact with the Director General, is running the show.
