The Anti-Corruption Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Peshawar has reportedly apprehended two individuals, including a customs officer, over their alleged involvement in smuggling dollars from Afghanistan. The arrests were made at the foreign currency declaration point established at the Torkham border.
The two suspects have been identified as Wajid, a customs officer, and Asfandyar. As part of the investigation, Asfandyar admitted to engaging in the daily smuggling of thousands of dollars from the Torkham border, with the assistance of customs authorities.
In the course of the operation, customs officials confiscated a total of USD 23,000 from the possession of the arrested individual. It was revealed that the accused received a commission of Rs 50,000 for each smuggling instance involving 100 USD, and this amount was reportedly handed over to customs officials.
Islamabad High Court Sets Hearing for Nawaz Sharif’s Plea Against Al-Azizia Reference Conviction
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court has scheduled a hearing for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s appeal against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference. The two-member bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb, will preside over the case.
In the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison on December 24, 2018. Additionally, he was fined Rs1.5 billion and $25 million. This development follows closely on the heels of the IHC’s acquittal of Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference just two days prior, providing a significant legal reprieve and reigniting hopes for a potential fourth term as prime minister.
In the Avenfield Properties corruption reference, an accountability court sentenced Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in jail for owning assets beyond known income and one year for non-cooperation with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in July 2018. In December 2020, the IHC declared him a proclaimed offender in the case. Nawaz Sharif had left the country for London for medical reasons, spent almost four years there, and returned to Pakistan last month.
