01 Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) Pakistan succeeded to prove its reports regarding large-scale green channel smuggling as the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took notice of this mega scam and copy of the Orders sent to the Honourable Chairman NAB Mr. Justice (R) Javed Iqbal for necessary action. After CJP’s notice, DG Customs Intelligence, in his report submitted to the then FBR chairman Tariq Pasha, admitted that green channel facility has been ‘mercilessly abused’ by some syndicates in connivance with a few corrupt customs officers. Another FBR official admitted that almost 10 million containers have been cleared through green channel which shows the exact scale of this scam. It is actually a scam equal to 1000 Avenfields. Customs Today has been reporting on abuse of green channel since past many years. An appeal regarding Rs 1000 billion green channel scam was repeatedly published in the newspaper by senior Journalist Asad Kharal and then the complaint was lodged before the Chief Justice in Supreme Court’s Lahore registry. After this complaint, the CJP took notice of the issue and ordered the quarters concerned to submit reply within 10 days. Earlier, Customs Today reported extensively on misuse of green channel facility at Karachi ports where mega brands like Mobilink and QMobile were reported to be grossly abusing green channel facility with connivance of Customs staff. Customs Today exposed mega smuggling scam of Digicom Company (Q-Mobile) as the company cleared more than 750 containers through green channel. Smuggling of dual use precursor acetic anhydride, dangerous chemicals, liquor and electronics items was exposed and reported. Then, Customs Today published several reports about betel nuts smuggling worth billions of rupees through ports at Port Qasim and Appraisement East Collectorate. These reports led to multiple raids, tens of FIRs and recoveries of illegally cleared goods worth billions of rupees. Notwithstanding, these actions were only a token in nature and a drop in ocean whereas much more needs to be unearthed. Customs Today also published investigative reports about changing of strategies by green channel smugglers as they started clearing illegal goods through yellow channel, TP, switch B/L and bonded warehouses. The Honourable Chief Justice and the Honourable NAB chairman have already taken notice of the green channel illegal clearances like other notices of mega corruption cases in Pakistan and even Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as prime minister in a historic decision announced in the Panama Papers case. Now, Rukhsana Yasmin has taken charge of FBR chairperson and she has good repute and past corruption-free record. It is hoped she will take a prompt action against abusers of green channel to save billions of rupees losses to the exchequer and precious lives of millions of Pakistanis.In fact, purpose of writing this book is to expose Rs 1000 billion mega scam of customs green channel and appeal the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan and Honourable Chairman NAB to take strict action against the culprits to save billions of rupees of the nation. 02 03 green channel mega scandal. Sources said DG Shaukat Ali has recently admitted ‘excessive misuse’ of aretaker Prime Minister green channel facility with alleged Nasirul Mulk appointed connivance of customs staff and Rukhsana Yasmin, a BS-22 recommended urgent action to arrest Cofficer, as the new chairman of Fed- haemorrhage of state revenue. After eral Board of Revenue (FBR) and DG’s shocking admission, genuine im- transferred and posted former FBR porters expect prompt action by new chairman, Tariq Mahmood Pasha, as FBR chairman against green channel Secretary Statistics. fraudsters to avoid billions of rupees Sources said after taking notice of revenue losses. mega corruption cases including Rs It is pertinent to mention here that 1,000 billion green channel illegal it was only Customs Today which ex- clearances by Chief Justice Mian Saqib posed green channel mega scandal Nisar and Chairman NAB Justice (r) upon which the CJP took notice and Javed Iqbal, the former FBR chairman ordered the FBR authorities includ- was facing tough situation as DG Intel- ing Member Customs Zahid Khokhar, ligence Shaukat Ali admitted ‘merciless Chief Collector Appraisement South misuse’ of green channel facility but Abdul Rasheed Sheikh and DG Cus- other top FBR and Customs of\icials toms Intelligence and Investigation were giving ‘all is well’ report. The issue Shaukat Ali to submit reply within 10 became so hot that it reached to the days. The court associate had sent PM House after CJP’s notice and the PM letter to Chairman NAB for necessary had to take this decision of transfer of action. Ms. Rukhsana Yasmin is the Tariq Pasha. It is expected that action senior most officer of the Federal could be taken against other high of\i- Board of Revenue (FBR) having expe- cials of FBR and Customs Dept in green rience of working both in Pakistan channel mega scam. Customs Service (PCS) and Inland Sources said new FBR Chairman Revenue Service (IRS). Rukhsana Yas- Rukhsana Yasmin is a very honest of- meen belongs to 11th Common \icer and she always worked for bet- Course. On Customs side she has terment of FBR through enhanced ef- worked in different field formation as forts for increasing revenue collection. Collector, Additional Collector, Deputy It is expected she would take notice of Collector and Assistant Collector for mega corruption cases including Rs more than 25 years. She opted to join 1000 billion green channel mega scam. new service group IRS in 2010. She Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan was promoted to Grade-22 in 2016. Abbasi had taken notice of rampant In IRS, she served as Commissioner, corruption at FBR and now the CJP Chief Commissioner and Member of and NAB Chairman took notice of Federal Board of Revenue. 04 CIJLODGESCOMPLAINTTOCHIEF JUSTICE AGAINSTGREENCHANNELSCAM 05 06 NABSTARTSINQUIRY 07 CHIEF JUSTICETAKES NOTICE OFGREENCHANNELMEGASCAM 08 ederal Board of Revenue Member Inland Revenue (Policy) and Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Iqbal said that if any officers and staff members of customs Fservice are found involved in misuse of green channel facility, FBR will take stern action against them. During an interview with Customs Today, he said that FBR ordered S ecretary Enforcement to investigate the matter and use all available resources to curb the misuse of Green Channel. FBR has submitted a detailed report in Supreme Court regarding the use of facility of green channel. “We are closely monitoring this matter. Member Customs Zahid Khokhar assigned a special task to check that how this facility is being misused and give recommendations how FBR can effectively control green channel facility to avoid its misuse,” he added. He said green channel issue is now in Supreme Court and the matter is sub-judice, therefore, I cannot give any opinion, whatever court will direct to FBR we will implement it without any delay. He said date of amnesty scheme will not be extended because this scheme was approved by the parliament under amnesty law and only parliament can extend the date but the parliament has been dissolved. Dr. Iqbal said FBR gets historic success regarding amnesty scheme and more than one trillion rupees assets have been declared to whiten the money after paying Rs53 bil- lion of taxes. Our target is Rs 100 billion and I hope that we can achieve this target. He also mentioned that many people from the country and outside the country are asking to extend the date of amnesty scheme. We have forwarded the recommendations to the caretaker government that this scheme should be extended for few days. He stated FBR is struggling hard for achieving the revenue targets of current financial year. Replying a question about the checking of asset statements of election candidates he said when election commission will forward it to FBR we will examine and compare with their last statement of assets and deal with the issue as per law. He said under the agreement with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the bank will start sharing data of Pakistani citizens’ bank accounts from October this year with 104 countries including Great Britain, America, France, Switzerland, Germany and rest of the other European countries. He said that matter of tax related prepaid cell card is still under consideration and no proposal has been finalized yet. 09 the complaint of large-scale misuse of some Customs officers/officials sus- green channel facility and ordered the pected to be involved in facilitating the FBR Member Customs, Chief Collector misuse of Green Channel facility repeat- ustoms Today succeeded to Abdul Rasheed Sheikh and DG I&I to sub- edly made by the Directorate General prove its reports regarding mit reply within 10 days, the have been ignored by FBR. Thus, the ma- green channel smuggling as Directorate General Customs Intelligence nipulators inside the department do not CChief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar put up total blame on the Federal Board of feel discouraged enough to refrain from took notice of the issue and Directorate Revenue (FBR) and the Customs Depart- extending their helping hand to the General Customs Intelligence & Investi- ment while con\irming ‘merciless’ mis- fraudsters. gation (I&I) admitted that green channel use of green channel facility with support In addition to the above, whenever facility has been mercilessly abused by of a few customs of\icials. the Directorate