Forensic audit must to bust 'grey trafficking' networks in Pakistan, SC told

ISLAMABAD: Director general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has revealed that contraband items are being sold online under organised network of ‘grey trafficking’ across parts of the country.

DG FIA stated this while briefing the top court during hearing of the case pertaining to grey trafficking countrywide.

The supreme court bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar took up the case.”How many networks of grey traffics have been neutralized by FIA”, asked CJP. The  official responded that FIA was carrying out operations, adding that grey trafficking couldn’t be done without the help of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).”

During hearing of the case DG FIA urged the court to order carrying out forensic audit into this crucial matter,  “companies doing online business, should also be asked and must come under surveillance.” he continued.

CJP asked about the nature of the forensic audit adding that what system should be used in the matter.”PTA  in 2009 installed a system to eradicate grey trafficking from the country,” replied the DG FIA on CJP’s query.

Justice Mian Saqib Nisar showed his resentment over performance of Federal Board of Revenue  (FBR), Pakistan Electronic  Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and customs for failing to control swarm of illegal dish channels.

“Jadoo Dish” is causing loss to Pakistan, revenue is being shifted to India due to Indian channels, remarked CJP.” We are not here to listen your detail story, avoid “ifs and buts”, be straight and concrete in your reply, CJP said to DG PTA, who appeared before the court.

PTA describes the grey trafficking as ‘the use of illegal gateway exchanges to bypass the legal gateways and terminate/originate international traffic, through VoIP gateways, GSM gateways, WLL phones, mobile SIMs or other related equipment so as to avoid applicable taxes and/or regulatory fee’.