Nato containers' scam: Supreme Court asks DG NLC, 30 other officials to submit replies

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed director general (DG) National Logistic Cell (NLC) and two former DGs besides 30 other senior officials to submit their replies pertaining to Nato containers scam.
A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry comprising Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday was hearing a suo motu case about liquor being smuggled in containers meant for carrying ammunition, food and other necessities for Nato forces in Afghanistan.
The court observed that the officials, who have not submitted their replies so far, indicated that they did not have anything to defend themselves. However, it nadded, they were also being granted three more days to submit their replies. The court said 30 officials out of the total 43, who were served notices, had submitted their reply. The court was informed that the replies of member customs Munir Qureshi and former member custom Afzal were ready, on which the court directed them to submit their replies with registrar office.
The apex court had observed that the scandal involving the customs department caused a huge loss of over Rs 37 billion, adding that the court had gone through the comprehensive report on smuggling of foreign goods in the garb of Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA).
Meanwhile, chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Salman Siddique assured the court that officials involved in illegal practices would not be spared and the embezzled money would be recovered at all costs. The statement of the chairman was made part of the record. FBR counsel Raja Muhammad Irshad told the court that a team headed by a senior FBR official Hafiz Muhammad Idrees had been constituted to probe into the scam. He said that in pursuance of court orders, responsible officials have also been issued notices, however, some of them are yet to submit their comments.
Afnan Kundi, counsel for NLC DG told the court that due to some security reasons, they could not receive the court notice. On court orders, Afnan read out a statement about non-receiving of court notice by NLC Director General. "We will see the matter at our own", the chief justice said. The counsel said the NLC had to give secret report over the matter, but the court said nothing was hidden in the matter now, if the government did not want to open it, what was the fault of court. The counsel then sought time for submitting reply.
After hearing FBR counsel's statement about appointments and transfers of officials, Justice Chaudhry observed chairman FBR was taking stern actions, it seemed he would also be removed from the post and would be given charge of chief secretary Balochistan.
FBR chairman assured the court that all orders of the court would be implemented. He said improvement was being made in the ATTA, as scanning and tracking systems were being installed, besides bank guarantee would have to be furnished for bringing containers.
Justice Ramday said what would be check on the officials involved in scanning. The FBR chairman replied that there was no need of centralising this system, as cross check would be kept in this matter. He said a report about the process of transportation would also be submitted.
On court insistence, Salam Siddique said preliminary information about smuggling through ISAF and Nato containers was given by a FBR employee Lutfullah Virk, who had been transferred. To a court query, the FBR chairman said steps were being taken in the light of Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) report over the issue, besides comments were also being prepared, which would soon be submitted in the court.
When asked by the court that as to whether any further investigation was needed or not after FTO report, he said that now criminal cases should be registered against the responsible officials. Meanwhile, the court adjourned further hearing until February 10 directing FBR to submit complete report over the matter.