FIA investigators allege a petroleum importer and a bonded fuel terminal operator diverted more than 32,000 metric tonnes of untaxed fuel into the black market, while the accused company says it has complied with all statutory obligations and is cooperating with authorities.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a major corruption and customs fraud case after alleging that a leading petroleum importer and a licensed bonded fuel terminal operator diverted more than 32,000 metric tonnes of untaxed imported fuel into the black market through the country’s cross-country pipeline network.
According to an FIR registered by the FIA’s Corporate Crime Circle in Karachi, investigators believe the companies conspired to remove imported petroleum products from a Customs-bonded system before paying mandatory duties, taxes, and government levies.
The alleged scheme was uncovered during a physical audit on June 22 at the company’s storage facility in Mehmoodkot, Muzaffargarh. Officials found only 7,039.7 metric tonnes of bonded gasoline, despite customs and pipeline records indicating that more than 39,000 metric tonnes should have been in storage. Investigators said the missing 32,081 metric tonnes exceeded the terminal’s licensed storage capacity.
The FIA alleges the fuel was transported from Port Qasim under bonded status through a third-party pipeline network but was illegally sold without the required customs clearance. A separate forensic review of a terminal manager’s laptop also allegedly revealed the unauthorized sale of approximately 4,744 metric tonnes of bonded high-octane fuel earlier this year.
Authorities have named two corporate entities and seven senior executives, including chief executives, in the case. The suspects face charges under the Customs Act, the Pakistan Penal Code, and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigators are also examining whether officials from customs offices in Port Qasim, Faisalabad, Lahore, and OGRA played any role in facilitating the alleged racket. The matter has been referred to two special courts in Karachi.
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