ISLAMABAD: Director General Customs Intelligence and Investigation Shaukat Ali said we are focusing on anti-money laundering operations, especially on trade based money laundering, and trying to stop all the possible ways of trafficking including smuggling. We are providing training to our officers as to how to investigate the anti-money laundering cases.
Talking with Customs Today, he said we have almost ended all the organized methods of smuggling. Now it is not possible for any person to use the traditional ways and means for illegal trade or smuggling. We are doing our best to curb this menace and the results are excellent.
Responding to a question, he said there is no kind of external or internal pressure on the directorate general regarding the money laundering cases including model Ayyan Ali case. Now all the money laundering cases are pending in different courts therefore I cannot pass any comments.
He said containers’ case is still pending with the Supreme Court and the report of the NAB regarding the case is also submitted to the Supreme Court. He said the people, transferring their money aboard through illegal channels like Hundi or Hawala, are tax evaders and they would have to face the music. The most important thing in money laundering cases is to oversee inquiries or investigations. Sometimes we write letters to counsels abroad but often don’t get any answer from them. We also need foreign cooperation and technical assistance in this regard.
