The FBR imposes an investigation on customs officers for smuggling military-grade equipment.
It is alleged that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched an inquiry into a claim that large numbers of customs officials assisted in bringing sensitive military-grade equipment into Pakistan. Equipment includes night vision technology, thermal imaging sights, and other types of gadgets, which are otherwise extensively used for military purposes.
According to sources, FBR has directed the Collector of Islamabad Airport to conduct an inquiry into the role of seven customs officials at the Islamabad International Airport. As the sources said they have been allegedly facilitating the operation by clearing the equipment through customs in return for cooperation with cargo companies and clearing agents.
The FBR has clearly mentioned that the authority received a report about an organized network smuggling military-grade equipment from China to Pakistan and UAE. This network is reported to have been aided by the custom officers deputed at the airport who bypassed the regular procedure followed while clearing the goods.
The FBR ordered the Collector to hold a fact-finding inquiry into the matter and send a report on the investigation in detail along with the FBR office by November 22, 2024.
It is part of the efforts of the FBR to rein in unlawful activities and exert stricter control over sensitive goods clearance into the country, especially those kinds of shipments that would likely raise a national security issue.
