Rs 775 million loss inflicted on national exchequer: Luxury vehicles imported under the guise of ambulances!

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has identified 28 customs officials, reportedly involved in the clearance of 308 luxury vehicles under the guise of ambulances that inflicted a Rs 775 million financial loss on the national kitty; it is learnt here on Wednesday.
According to sources, FIA during the examination of import records for the period from July 2010 to June 2011 came to know that some unscrupulous elements had imported 308 luxury vehicles and cleared the same as ambulances in connivance with customs officers in the names of bogus welfare organisations. They alleged that seven persons including investor Chaudry Nadeem, Rashid Rafiq, Mugees-ur-Rehman, Ashiq Hussain, Afzal Shehzad and a clearing agent Azam, were accused in this case.
They also alleged that Rashid was the mastermind; and he was involved in establishing fake welfare organisations to get exemptions from duty and taxes in the clearance of luxury vehicles. Moreover, sources said that these accused persons had cleared the aforesaid vehicles under the guise of ambulances, which were imported in the names of fake welfare organisations - Al-Rehman Welfare Trust, Al-Jaza Patient Relief Organisation, Saachal Sarmast Welfare, Al-Makhdoom Welfare, etc.
All these fake welfare organisations, which are 'based' in interior Sindh, are registered only on papers and these vehicles, which are imported by using the names of these welfare organisations, are being used for commercial purposes. Replying to a question, sources said that FIA had identified some 28 customs officers, who were suspicious 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. 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," source said. On the other hand, FIA officials said 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.