The Accountability Court-I on Friday adjourned till January22, 2008 the hearing of a reference pertaining to a fake export of Art- Silk Fabric (Jacquard) and glass marble against Khalid Aziz, inspector of Customs House Quetta and others.
According to official statement, the reference was filed against accused Imtiaz Ali Taj and other, while the accused Khalid Aziz was absconder, The accused was arrested in July 2005 and the charge was framed on 27-07-2005. The statement of accused Khalid Aziz was recorded in three NAB's References (No 41,43/2000, 11/2001).
It may be mentioned here that the Directorate of Inspection (Customs, Central Excise and Sales Tax) Karachi, reported that M/s Charlie Enterprises was running by Haroon Rasheed as its proprietor with custom officers, Quetta Collectorate staff members, clearing forwarding shipping agent and absconding seven accused during the year 1991-92.
Where Art- Silk Fabric (Jacquard) and glass marble were being exported on the fake invoices from Gawadar to Dubai. This bogus export were being patronised by the exporters and custom staff posted at Gawadar aimed to extend benefit to each other adopted corrupt, dishonest and illegal course obtained repayment of custom duty and refund of Sales Tax as well as import license fee without actual export,
Export House was received cheques amounting Rs 41, 209,615 as repayment of custom duty and refund of Sales Tax on the fraudulent export besides receiving Import License Fee, refund from CCI and E, Karachi, amounting to Rs 4,046,187 totalling Rs 45, 35502.
However, accused Khalid Aziz was patronising illegal business being inspector of Custom House Quetta, in connivance and conspiracy with absconding accused, without physical examination, which includes confirmation of declared quantity and weight of item concerned having typed the shipping bills, according to invoices. Thereafter, Accountability Court No-I adjourned till January 22, 2008 the hearing of NAB's Reference (No 51/2007) pertaining to embezzle public funds of Rs 132.69 millions through dishonestly and fraudulently against Sikandar Ali Jatoi, Chairman Zeal Pak Cement Factory Ltd.
In the hearing no prosecution witness was present besides accused was not present. Defence counsel filed application for condonation of absence of accused on the ground that the accused was out of Pakistan with the permission of High Court.
Meanwhile, Accountability Court-IV adjourned till January 9, 2008 the hearing of NAB's Reference (No 9/2004) pertaining to embezzle in Karachi Port Trust (KPT) bills against accused Akhtar Qureshi, who was Senior Clerk in the Cash & Assessment Branch.-PR