KARACHI: The Customs Court granted interim pre-arrest bail to MNA Aslam Khan allies Aslam Singapuri, who was declared as proclaimed offender in a case of mis-declaration and evading the duty and taxes of Rs28.57 million to the national exchequer.
On September 26, 2018, elected member national assembly Muhammad Aslam Khan appeared before the court along with his counsel who moved pre-arrest bail petition and argued that no information had been given by the customs officials to his client regarding this case and he came to know through media reports, therefore, he is ready to face trail and appeared before the court for surrender and court may grant him bail till final order in this case.
After the hearing, court granted him bail against the surety of Rs500,000 and directed him to appear before the court on next date of hearing.
It needs to be pertained here that in general election 2018, Aslam Khan elected from NA 254 Karachi known Azizabad (Nine Zero Area) on Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf ticket.
According to the charge-sheet, customs court framed charge on accused Muhammad Azam and Hameeddin on December 14, 1997 that “you along with absconding accused Muhammad Aslam Khan alias Aslam Singapuri, Muhammad Saleem Khan, Ch. Sajjad, Asif and Akhlaq Ahmed, in the year 1997 smuggled into Pakistan electronic goods worth Rs28.57 million in association with Pakistan Air Force personnel and under the garb of defence stores of Pakistan Air Force and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 156 (1) (8) (9) (89) and 14 read with Section 178 of the Customs Act, 1969 and within the Section 178 of the Customs Act, 1969.”
Documents further revealed that on August 3, 2004 court announced judgment in this case and acquitted the above-mentioned two suspects giving benefit of doubt; however, the court issued non-bailable warrants for absconding suspects and filed was moved to office.