The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has exposed a Rs384 million duty and tax evasion scam at Karachi Airport, seizing high-value electronics, including PlayStations and MacBooks, and arresting several suspects involved in bypassing customs procedures.
The operation was carried out by the Collectorate of Customs Airport Karachi, which confiscated a consignment worth Rs103 million and apprehended employees of a foreign-based ground-handling company accused of orchestrating the fraud in collusion with importers.
According to FBR officials, the group used forged documents to illegally remove shipments of laptops, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, PlayStations, and memory cards without filing Goods Declarations (GDs) or paying customs duties and taxes. The scam, which involved multiple consignments, came to light after credible intelligence was acted upon, prompting tighter controls at Jinnah International Airport.
Investigations revealed that five consignments shipped from the UAE by M/s Pir Jillani General Trading LLC, Dubai, were illegally cleared using this method. Each consignment, packed in two large pallets weighing up to 1,000 kg, was deliberately hidden from the Customs WeBOC system and cleared using fake gate passes.
The FBR reported that two additional shipments were fraudulently released through forged documents. Following this discovery, the Collectorate lodged two FIRs and arrested staff members of the ground-handling company involved.
Customs investigators found that the company’s employees manipulated the computerized iCargo system to conceal airway bills and generate fake gate passes. Officials also noted that the company’s refusal to provide CCTV footage and essential records has raised suspicions about the involvement of its senior management.
The total estimated loss of evaded duties and taxes through the Karachi Airport scam stands at Rs384 million, making it one of the largest busts of its kind in recent years.