ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the concerned authorities to expedite the process for recovery of Rs55 billion financial loss caused to the national exchequer due to hundreds of missing containers, meant for supply of goods to the International Assistance Force(ISAF) stationed inside Afghanistan.
It ordered the high authorities in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) to put their heads together for fast recovery of total amount involved in the scam.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry resumed hearing of the suo motu case.
Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Salman Siddique apprised the bench that the issue of commercial containers had been forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for investigation and fixation of responsibility.
He admitted that an amount to the tune of Rs 55 billion in duty and tax evasion had yet to be recovered.
He informed that the clearance collectors had investigated 108 cases
against 184 containers, so far, in which total liability stood around Rs 424 million (duty & taxes) with an additional penalty of Rs 210 million.
He said they were preparing thorough reports so that the NAB authorities could be facilitated over figures and amounts.
He also lamented that lack of interest on part of the Afghan authorities in collection of relevant data was also a factor in making slow headway into the cases.
"If the Court directs me to submit the report on weekly basis, I am ready to compile," he added.
The CJ said that the FBR had to take tangible steps instead banking upon preparation of reports.
He said so far no one was nabbed or suspended, besides, no recovery was made.
He asked FBR chairman to take into consideration the condition of national economy.
The Chairman FBR said that they had requested the NAB to depute their
officers but so far they were in the process.
The NAB official apprised the bench that they were trying to depute the competent officers to investigate the case, which required specific expertise.
The Chief Justice said that the process would again consume time and
cautioned that forensic evidences should have been taken into possession.
He also suggested to chairman FBR to send his officers on depuration to the NAB to expedite the process.
Siddique said that he himself was in favour of sending his competent
officers on deputations to facilitate departments.
The Chief Justice observed that amount could swell as indicated by a report of the FTO terming the detected amount as a tip of the ice berg.
The CJ remarked that the Court also wanted that the national wealth should be brought back as it belonged to this nation.
The bench adjourned further hearing till January 2 by directing the FBR to furnish detailed reports about its progress. (APP)
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