KARACHI: The Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) of Port Qasim Collectorate has finalised its report against corrupt customs officials, including Appraising Officer Naeem Khan, and sent it to the authorities concerned for further action in a Rs 13 million tax evasion case.
On the directions of Chief Collector Abdul Rasheed Shaikh, the CIU initiated an inquiry into the mega tax evasion in import of servo motors. Sources said that the motors were imported under the garb of sewing machines.
The report revealed that three apprising officers, including Appraiser Naeem Khan, Appraiser Khalid Parwaiz and Appraiser Asfandyar, allegedly supported M/s Eman Enterprises in clearance of the motors.
According to the report, Naeem Khan emerged as the mastermind of the racket involved in clearing servo motors under the garb of sewing machines and parts. An investigation into the case also revealed that he allowed and cleared the consignment in two goods declarations. Appraiser Khalid Parwaiz assisted the company in two goods declarations and Asfandyar proceeded with one from 2016 to 2017.
It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Collector Appraisement South Abdul Rasheed Sheikh is active against the racket which is comprised of some importers and clearing agents. The racket is involved in evasion of taxes and duties in clearance of servo motors with the help of appeasement staff posted at the Port Qasim.
The post clearance scrutiny revealed that the importer namely M/s Eman Enterprises and others had cleared Acro Star Servo Motors under the garb of sewing machines and parts recently.
Further investigations revealed that it was not the first and the only consignment but various consignments were cleared recently with the help of Appraising Officer Naeem Khan and his co-officers in return for a huge bribe. Sources said that they took 25 to 30 percent money to support the crime.