The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has achieved breakthrough in the 'betel leaf import scam' as they arrested a former customs official Muhammad Sohail Butt from Sialkot who was wanted by the NAB since long.
The NAB is investigating this scam in which Rs 2.6 billion (approx) were embezzled in the wake of custom duty evasion by miscalculating liable duty on import of betel leaf and around 70 corruption references have so far been filed in accountability courts.
The accused, Sohail Butt, had been appointed as Deputy Superintendent Customs during 2011-12 who used to evade/miscalculate customs duty liable on import of betel leaves which was being imported in accordance with Pak-Sri Lanka Free Trade agreement. He was nominated as key accused in almost 40 corruption references filed before the accountability court in the same case in which more than Rs 1 billion were embezzled through mutual connivance of numerous importers.
According to the available proofs with NAB, the accused evaded/miscalculated customs duty liable on betel leaf which caused loss worth billion of rupees to the national kitty. The NAB officials have obtained physical remand of the accused till March 31 for further investigations.