Urea export to Afghanistan under fake permission: Customs Collectorate Quetta asked to launch probe

The commerce ministry has reportedly asked the customs collectorate Quetta to investigate the urea export to Afghanistan under a fake permission letter. According to official documents, a letter No 1(1)/2010-Export-1, of March 17, 2011 containing clarification regarding export of Sona urea fertiliser to Afghanistan via Chamman, Balochistan was allegedly issued to Munir Ahmad & Company, Ram Chand Bazar, Chamman, Quetta under the signatures of Altaf Hussain Maitlo, Research Officer, Ministry of Commerce.
The Minister for Commerce took a very serious notice of the issue and ordered an inquiry into the matter. Secretary Commerce nominated Hamayat Ullah Khan, Joint Secretary (Foreign Trade) as inquiry officer. Altaf Hussain Maitlo was directed to explain his position in writing. The officer in his written reply stated that the subject clarification letter is a fake and bogus document. He was called by the Minister for Commerce where he clarified that the letter was not issued by him. The accused claimed that being the dealing officer with the subject, he was fully aware of the fact that export of urea is totally banned.
According to the Research Officer, it would be highly illogical of him to issue such a letter under his own signature to put his career at stake. He pleaded innocence and drew attention to the fact that the issuance of fake letters is not something new as bogus letters had also been issued in the past. The officer was also summoned to the Joint Secretary Export office and questioned on April 9, 2011.
In continuation of his earlier statement, Altaf Hussain Maitlo, submitted in the letter of April 15, 2011 that a man whom he identified as Dr Irshad, Drug Inspector, Health Department, Government of Balochistan had divulged that Customs authorities Quetta had confiscated licence of their company ie Munir Ahmed & Company for investigation in the matter.
He stated that this makes clear that Munir Ahmed & Company exists and that the Customs authorities should probe the factual position and take action against Munir Ahmed & Company. Muhammad Maqsood Khan, Deputy Secretary (Exports) being next superior officer was called to Joint Secretary's office on April 14, 2011. In his written statement, the Deputy Secretary stated that some hidden unscrupulous elements working in the Ministry are involved in issuing fake letters. An inquiry into issuance of fake letters was under way when he joined the Ministry as Deputy Secretary (Exports) in December, 2009.
The Secretary Commerce had referred the matter to FIA for detailed investigation to unearth the matter but no progress has been made so far. All the staff of the Export wing were transferred by the Secretary Commerce. As a result of this, no bogus NoC/clarification letter had been issued during the last one year.
He also stated that he had thoroughly checked all the relevant record, diary register, movement of issue register including the files of the R.O. (Export). He further stated that Altaf Hussain Maitlo had been working under his supervision since November, 2010 to his complete satisfaction. The dealing officer being fully aware of the seriousness of the matter would not have dared put his career at stake. He has suggested that the matter may be thoroughly investigated through Police/intelligence agencies with the objective of unearthing the real culprits. In the light of the preliminary inquiry it has been concluded that there is no evidence on record to show Altaf Hussain Maitlo, Research Officer, Ministry of Commerce issued the subject clarification.