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Massive customs fraud exposed at Jinnah International as FBR seizes Rs103 million consignment and initiates arrests over fake clearances.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has unearthed a major customs duty and tax evasion scam at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, involving the illegal clearance of high-value electronics worth hundreds of millions of rupees. The enforcement breakthrough was led by the Collectorate of Customs, Airport Karachi, following credible intelligence that exposed systemic fraud involving ground-handling company employees and colluding importers.
According to the FBR, the scam was being orchestrated by employees of a foreign-based ground-handling company entrusted with custody of cargo at the airport. These employees issued forged documents and manipulated clearance processes to illegally remove electronic consignments from the airport premises without filing Goods Declarations (GDs) or paying applicable customs duties and taxes.
A critical intelligence tip-off led customs authorities to tighten monitoring procedures at Karachi airport. This resulted in the interception and seizure of a consignment valued at Rs103 million, containing premium consumer electronics such as laptops, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, PlayStations, and memory cards. The operation successfully prevented the consignment’s illegal removal just in time.
In addition to the seized consignment, officials discovered that two other shipments had already been fraudulently cleared using counterfeit gate passes. The Collectorate of Customs responded by immediately filing two First Information Reports (FIRs) and arresting multiple employees from the implicated handling company.
Subsequent investigations have confirmed that five consignments in total were illegally removed using this fraudulent system. All were shipped from the United Arab Emirates by M/s Pir Jillani General Trading LLC, Dubai. These consignments were concealed from the Customs WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) system to avoid the mandatory filing of GDs. Each pallet weighed approximately 900 to 1000 kilograms, and the total evaded duty and tax liability has been estimated at Rs 384 million.
The method used involved manipulation of the company’s computerized iCargo system to hide airway bills and generate fake gate passes for the unauthorized clearance of the goods. Customs investigators noted with concern that the ground-handling company repeatedly refused to provide requested CCTV footage and key operational records. This lack of cooperation has raised serious suspicions about possible complicity of the company’s senior management in the scam.
FBR officials have confirmed that the FIRs have been lodged and arrests made, while recovery of the evaded customs revenue is actively underway. More arrests and legal actions are expected as the investigation deepens.
FBR Chairman and Member Customs have made it clear that strict accountability will be enforced, not only for private custodians involved in fraud but also for any customs officials who fail to fulfill their regulatory duties. The operation at Jinnah International Airport, officials said, demonstrates FBR’s determination to protect national revenue and enforce robust customs compliance.
The exposed fraud highlights long-standing vulnerabilities at Pakistan’s major entry points, where private custodians and customs intermediaries hold significant operational control. The case underscores the urgent need for tighter surveillance mechanisms, improved data integration, and stronger oversight of third-party handlers operating at critical infrastructure points like international airports.
As FBR accelerates its crackdown, this enforcement action signals renewed institutional focus on plugging revenue leakages, deterring collusion between handlers and importers, and restoring integrity in Pakistan’s customs and taxation systems.
