FIA to probe massive corruption scandal at Torkham border

PESHAWAR: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has decided to probe the million-dollar scandal at the Pak-Afghan border.

According to FIA sources, the agency initiated a probe into the million-dollar scandal that emerged with the involvement of Torkham custom station management.

On the other hand, FBR also formed a Joined Investigation probe team that will examine the non-custom paid martial. The authorities also directed Torkham custom offices to provide the report of this investigation within 14 days.

The national exchequer lost millions of dollars of revenue on imports and exports at the Torkham Customs Station due to the involvement of customs officials which compelled to start an inquiry, after which numerous people and vehicles were booked for their alleged involvement in tax avoidance.

Sources disclosed that importers and exporters were able to evade taxes during the transportation of goods at the Pak-Afghan border because of the involvement of custom officers at the station; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been possible.

It was also revealed that out of the total of 335, 300 people charged in the FIR had been paying all the taxes and duties.

An organized fraudulent activity is currently taking place at the Torkham customs stations, through which foreign-origin goods are being smuggled into Pakistan at great cost to the public exchequer.