The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has uncovered a major tax-evasion scam at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi. High-value electronic goods were illegally removed without filing Goods Declarations (GDs) or paying customs duties.
The scam involved employees of a foreign ground-handling company, acting in collusion with certain importers. Fake and forged documents were used to illegally clear electronic consignments worth hundreds of millions of rupees.
The fraud came to light after credible intelligence prompted a timely investigation. Customs officials seized a consignment valued at Rs103 million, which included laptops, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, PlayStations, and memory cards. Two other consignments had already been fraudulently cleared using fake gate passes. Following the seizure, the Collectorate of Customs Airport Karachi lodged two FIRs and arrested employees linked to the case.
Investigations revealed that five consignments, shipped from M/s Pir Jillani General Trading LLC, Dubai, were illegally removed using the same method. Each consignment weighed between 900–1,000 kg and was deliberately concealed from the Customs WeBOC system. The total estimated evaded duty and taxes amounted to Rs384 million.
Customs officials noted that employees manipulated the iCargo system to issue fake gate passes while concealing airway bills. The foreign company also refused to provide CCTV footage and other critical records, raising suspicions of higher-level complicity.
FBR officials have confirmed that FIRs have been lodged, and arrests have been made. Recovery of the evaded amounts is ongoing, and additional FIRs and arrests are expected. The FBR chairman emphasized that no leniency will be granted to custodians or customs functionaries who neglect their duties.
This operation highlights the FBR’s commitment to tackling fraud and protecting national revenue. By addressing this tax-evasion scam decisively, the authority aims to restore public trust and ensure that similar practices are prevented in the future.
The FBR reiterated that it will continue monitoring and enforcing compliance to safeguard the country’s financial interests, making it clear that no one involved in such tax-evasion scams will escape accountability.
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