ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi directed Federal Board of Revenue to apologise and make payment to citizen whose three imported vehicles were mishandled by Customs Department.

Customs Department’s officials wrongly auctioned vehicles at low price of almost Rs 3 million without any notice to citizen and Customs Duty paid by him was refunded to some unauthorised clearing agents, who later disappeared with money.

President directed FBR to verify all receipts/documents, refund amount as per assessed value of vehicles and refund duties/charges paid in favour of importers/owners.

He directed citizen to provide all documents and reconcile with Customs Department enabling FBR to make payment within 30 days. He observed that interest should be added to payment since auction money was lying with exchequer.

President gave these directions while accepting a representation filed by Iftikhar Ahmed Awan (complainant) against orders of Wafaqi Mohtasib. Complainant had stated that overseas Pakistanis, living in Japan, legally imported three vehicles for personal use of their families and freight against vehicles was paid.

However, FBR did not release vehicles and sold three cars in an auction at low price of Rs 3,019,385. Feeling aggrieved, complainant approached Wafaqi Mohtasib, who directed FBR to make payment of sale proceeds of vehicles to owners, after verification as to why they were being paid such low amount.

During hearing, FBR’s representative admitted fault of Customs personnel in handling matter due to lack of communication and system barriers. He informed that FBR had initiated disciplinary proceedings against delinquent officials involved in mishandling matter and they had also been served charge sheet in pursuance of order of Mohtasib.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 30 2023

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