ISLAMABAD: After the incident of embezzlement of senior Australian residents’ {dollars} by the Airport Safety Workers (ASF) on the Islamabad Worldwide Airport, the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed all airports to determine Customs forex declaration counter earlier than the ASF counter.
In line with an order of the FTO, this incident of theft by the ASF employees passed off on the Islamabad Worldwide Airport. Customs officers have been additionally concerned in maladministration within the mentioned case towards the senior residents of Australia.
These complaints have been filed towards the Collectorate of Customs and Airport Safety Pressure (ASF), Islamabad Worldwide Airport (IIA), when it comes to Part 10(1) of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000 (FTO Ordinance), for refund of lacking quantity of Australian {dollars} (AUD). All complaints have similar points and are disposed of, via this single consolidated order.
The FTO has directed the Federal Board of Income (FBR) to direct all Chief Collectors of Customs, throughout the nation, together with Collector Customs, Islamabad, to determine and functionalize a Customs forex declaration counter, in collaboration with CAA (underneath Part 14A of Customs Act, 1969), at an appropriate place however earlier than ASF counter, as a primary level of interplay with outgoing worldwide passengers, as per legislation.
Incoming worldwide passengers: Declaration of $10,000 or above foreign exchange made obligatory
The FTO confirmed that it’s evident that ASF employees detected international forex from the purse of complainant Syeda Rashida Kazmi, travelling overseas and on enquiry by ASF employees, complete quantity of AUD 147,000 was declared by complainant however ASF detained quantity and made a “Hawalgi report” after which known as Customs employees and handed over complainant and international forex, with Hawalgi report for an quantity of AUD 131,900, to Customs employees.
Complainant was not given any alternative by ASF employees to declare her items/forex earlier than Customs employees, as per provisions of Part 139 of the Customs Act, 1969.
Briefly, complainant acknowledged that they got here from Australia to Pakistan together with 10 different members of the family to settle in Pakistan completely. Nonetheless, as a consequence of unsure scenario of the nation, they determined to return, together with their introduced in saved pension quantity, equal to AUD 147,000, obtained from Australian authorities.
Evidently an extra quantity of AUD 4,950 was paid by Customs, unaccounted for in Hawalgi and seizure report, and was handed over to complainant Syed Muzafar Kazmi underneath an undated receipt.
This truth confirms that really detained and seized quantity of AUD was not 131,900 however was way more than that and declare of complainant features power that quantity was AUD 147,000 and that an quantity of AUD 15,100 had been stolen out illegally like a broad daylight theft. Return of AUD 4,950 by Customs employees to complainant, as an alternative of together with that quantity and making out an entire seizure of AUD 136,850, a partial seizure of AUD 131,900 was made with none lawful excuse and authorized provision.
All of the above-narrated info tantamount to maladministration towards Customs. Furthermore, clear theft of AUD 15,100 can’t be denied on the premise of corroborative proof and related report which establishes the declare of complainants and is tantamount to gross maladministration and misconduct towards related ASF employees with costs of theft, dacoity, and embezzlement of passenger forex. The FTO has really helpful the FBR to represent a fact-finding inquiry committee to analyze all involved Customs officers together with Inspector SM Ejaz and provoke mandatory disciplinary proceedings underneath E& D Guidelines, 2020, towards these discovered responsible, as per legislation.
The FBR ought to convey, instructions of this workplace to Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and DG ASF, to represent a fact-finding inquiry committee towards Munawar Khan, AD/Sector Incharge, Sgt Afzal Hussain and all otherconcerned ASF officers and provoke mandatory disciplinary proceedings underneath E& D Guidelines, 2020, towards these discovered responsible, as per legislation.
Copyright Enterprise Recorder, 2022
