CJ suspects high-level involvement in Pakistan liquor smuggling

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s Supreme Court has taken serious exception to reports of liquor smuggling in containers meant for carrying ammunition, food and other necessities for NATO forces in Afghanistan and has warned that “high-profile” people could lose their jobs if their involvement was proved.

In his remarks during the hearing of the case here, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary expressed his displeasure and added that “several high-profile people are likely to lose their jobs in this case”.

He said both the customs and police officials could be responsible.

“Not only the customs staff responsible for checking this smuggling, police and the levies manning the border with Afghanistan are also responsible,” Justice Chaudhary pointed out while demanding a thorough detail to be furnished before the court Sep 23.

A three-member bench of the apex court is hearing the case.

“This is not an ordinary case. The liquor containers reached Islamabad from Karachi without any checking,” Justice Chaudhary regretted, adding that “the NATO forces are also incurring heavy losses to Pakistan by carrying their goods without paying duty to the national exchequer”.

Member Customs Munir Qureshi submitted before the court that “NATO supplies are being done only through Railways and National Logistics Cell”.

“However, certain private transporters are being used for this purpose as well because of shortage of official vehicles to carry these goods,” he said.

Chief justice expressed his concern that “the complaints of misuse of NATO containers and logistical movement without paying customs duty are rampant”.

(Awais Saleem can be contacted at ians.pakistan@gmail.com)