The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to continue its operation against smuggling of Indian Direct-to-Home (DTH) devices to Pakistani markets. The committee comprising member customs and additional director general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was directed by the apex court to raid the markets and take into possession the India DTH devices.
The committee was also ordered to find out how the DTH devices reach the markets and who is responsible for its smuggling and file comprehensive report about its sale and smuggling within 10 days. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah heard the suo motu regarding illegal sale of Indian DTH devices. The Federal Board of Revenue was asked to examine tax exemption on locally manufactured DTH devices.
The additional attorney general submitted progress report on behalf of joint investigation team, informing the bench that the FIA, Customs, PEMRA and other departments had launched crackdown against the illegal sale of DTH devices in Pakistani markets. He said that in view of the joint operation, the equipment worth Rs 783 million was recovered, 30 cases were registered and 39 persons have been arrested.
The JIT gave six recommendations. The bench directed the AAG to share the recommendations with the concerned departments. The AAG said that steps have been taken to control smuggling of Indian DTH devices.
Justice Ijaz questioned what happened to introduction of local DTH devices. The AAG informed the bench that auction for the DTH had been held and within one month it would be operational. He further informed that after auction licences were issued to seven persons for sale of DTH devices.
He said that the PEMRA is formulating mechanism to legalise the sale of DTH. He requested the court that tax exemption be allowed on local DTH as the imported DTH is cheap than the local manufactured DTH. Justice Ijaz remarked that the aspect of tax exemption has to be looked at by FBR. The court directed the FIA to find out the people who are involved in the smuggling of India DTH devices and file report. The case was adjourned for three weeks.
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