The Team of ‘The Inquirer’ discovered the most precious 17 Gems of Corruption in Pakistan Customs?

 

In Pakistan, there is a lot of problems, and every politician categorizes them according to their own method, but in reality, the biggest problem of Pakistan is corruption. This is corruption that forced Pakistan to beg the IMF on strict conditions.

Today, as a researcher of The INQUIRER, I shall highlight the corruption of the Appraising Officer of Pakistan Customs, Mr Muhammad Raheel.

Mr Raheel is deployed at SAPT (South Asia Pakistan Terminal). Where he is responsible for serving the Nation sincerely, but unfortunately instead of his obligation, he is making money by taking kickbacks from corrupt importers like M/S MR Sons.

According to our source, Mr Raheel is involve in mega corruption scandal at SAPT and causing a huge loss to the government revenue and also to the genuine importers of viscose fabric, who are paying high amount of duty and taxes due to the deliberate misclassification of viscose fabric by Mr. Muhammad Raheel, Appraiser, in connivance with the importer M/s M.R. Sons. This has resulted in a financial loss amounting to Rs. 28.843 million to the exchequer.

For example, In 09 GDS lab tests were conducted to ascertain the proper description/classification of the viscose fabric, and according to the lab reports, the item were classifiable under PCT heading 5516.1200 with Customs Duty 16%, Additional Customs Duty  4%, and Regulatory Duty  2%.

However, Mr. Raheel deliberately assessed these GDs under HS Code 5408.2200, despite the clear lab reports available in the system, where Customs Duty is 11%, Additional Customs Duty is 2%, and Regulatory Duty is 0%, causing a total loss of Rs. 28,843,668/-

It is a clear disparity that only the lab can determine the actual classification of viscose fabric, yet Mr. Raheel ignored these official lab reports and wrongly classified the fabric under an incorrect HS Code, causing a direct financial loss to the government.

Additionally, it is shocking to note that all GDs in which the lab test was conducted were assessed solely by Mr. Raheel, which strongly indicates clear connivance and corruption. Meanwhile, Mr. Raheel, despite causing an actual loss of Rs. 29 million in due tax, but instead of action he is still serving as a government official and enjoying the support of powerful, corrupt bosses.

Mr. Raheel was also involved in a container swapping case at Port Qasim, demonstrating his repeated involvement in fraudulent activities, yet he continues to evade any legal or departmental action.

Shockingly, it has come to light that Mr. Raheel has established a shoe manufacturing factory in Lahore worth Rs. 50 million. This raises serious concerns about the source of these funds. As a government official, his known income does not justify such a huge investment, pointing directly to financial misconduct and corruption. A thorough investigation must be conducted to trace the origins of this wealth.

Further that if he can’t be interrupted the genuine being genuine importer will suffer with to the their business.

As respected Chairman FBR who joined the office to curb corruption and to eradicate the connivance of corrupt officials, Nation demand justice from Chairman FBR and respected Prime Minister to look into the matter and punish these criminal officials by terminating them so that in future genuine importers paying duty and taxes would not suffer.