ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has detected embezzlement to the tune of Rs775 million in the clearance of 308 luxury vehicles under the guise of ambulances, depriving the national exchequer of precious revenue.
The agency has also identified 28 customs officials, reportedly, involved in the clearance of 308 luxury vehicles.
As per details, the scam came to light during examination of the record pertaining to imports during the period from July 2010 to June 2011. The FIA detected that some unscrupulous elements had imported 308 luxury vehicles and got its clearance as ambulances with connivance of customs officers in the names of bogus welfare organisations. They alleged that seven persons including investor Chaudhry Nadeem, Rashid Rafiq, Mugeesur Rehman, Ashiq Hussain, Afzal Shehzad and a clearing agent Azam were involved in the scam.
According to the FIA, Rashid is the mastermind established fake welfare organisations to get exemptions from duty and taxes in the clearance of luxury vehicles. The accused had cleared the vehicles under the guise of ambulances, which were imported in the names of fake welfare organisations including Al-Rehman Welfare Trust, Al-Jaza Patient Relief Organisation, Saachal Sarmast Welfare, Al-Makhdoom Welfare, etc.
All these so-called organisations, based in interior Sindh, are registered only in papers and these vehicles, which are imported in the names of these welfare organisations, are being used for commercial purposes. On the other hand, the FIA has identified some 28 customs officers, who are being suspected in the clearance of these luxury vehicles under the guise of ambulances.
In order to initiate investigations against customs officers, the FIA has requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Customs department to provide relevant information in the case. However, the customs department, despite knowing the severity of the case has refused to entertain FIA. The FBR has also informed the agency that no government departments and agencies are allowed to initiate inquiry against FBR officers as board has its own powers under Customs Act 1969 to conduct departmental inquiry in case of any misconduct. However, FIA officials are of the opinion that Customs Act 1969 could not supersede the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 and all government departments were bound to follow the instructions given under the said Act.
