KARACHI: The Customs Intelligence has in the latest move detected registration of fake customs invoices amounting to Rs 15 billion.
"Submission of fake documents and invoices have been detected at Karachi Customs, FIRs have been lodged and arrests are still underway," said Director, Intelligence & Investigation (FBR), Engr. Amer Ahmed here Thursday.
Addressing the members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), he said some leading and influential businessmen were allegedly involved in this fraud.
The meeting mainly focussed on import and anti-smuggling measures.
He said following the policy of the government, the Customs authorities also wanted to be facilitator to the genuine importers and exporters to protect their businesses and discourage smuggling of goods.
"Customs officials have no interest to register FIR against the businessmen and to make any arrests, but at the same time it is also the responsibility of the community not to let go to that stage," he maintained.
Presently the system is totally computerised and once a trader is blacklisted, it becomes almost impossible to clear his name, he pointed out.
The Director Customs said that recently they have adopted a policy that if by mistake any under-invoicing has been done by any importer then he should be given a certain deadline to deposit the difference amount in the government's kitty. "After the deadline we are justified to take action," he added.
On the occasion, he urged the businessmen particularly the importers to give very specific information about landing places and those involved in smuggling.
"It is very difficult to penetrate into the network of smugglers which could risk the lives of customs intelligence officials, therefore, genuine importers who are sitting in the market could give us the required information," he pointed out.
Amer Ahmed said that many of the customs officials came under attack on border areas when they tried to stop the trucks with smuggled goods and were attacked with sophisticated weapons.
He said Karachi is the landing place of smuggled items whether it be from Iran or Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) through Afghanistan.
"We do not get information from the traders unless there is infighting among rival groups," the Director Customs further said and assured that the Customs could get assistance from Pakistan Navy and Rangers in case of classified, specific and correct information by the business community who know everyone in their fraternity.
He said his department has only 140 field officials which number is very insufficient to check smuggling and added that the Customs officials could only be blamed if he would not take action on the pointation of any trader about the smuggled items.
Earlier, the KCCI President Mohammed Saeed Shafiq, said that under invoicing was a growing menace.
"Initially there were few traders but now the genuine importers are involved in under invoicing," he said and urged the Customs authorities to devise a mechanism to stop under invoicing.
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