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Pakistan is somewhat a little more fond of technology than other third world nations. The country’s attempt to become a technological hub can be slowed down, but cannot be countered completely. Many different brands compete for a share of the market, and some even resort to illegal ways to make as much income as they can.
One of Pakistan’s most selling mobile brand, Q-Mobile, a Chinese company, has come under the scrutiny of trying to smuggle phones and tablets into the country by avoiding proper tax procedures. The Pakistan Customs recently seized a container in Karachi which had almost 64,000 Q-Mobile phones/tablets which were smuggled illegally into Pakistan.
One news channel reported that phones were being smuggled into the country with the help of Pakistan Customs and the airport administration. The fraudulent Q-Mobile is smuggling phones to Pakistan via Dubai. Few people named in the report, namely Mohsin, Nehal, and Jugnu were bringing the phones in with the help of administration and selling them for cheaper rates, minus all the tax and duty they have to pay, damaging the national exchequer.
There is no record of these phones, with the IMEI number missing. Without these details, the CPLC and other security agencies have no track of the phone, data, and communication being carried out through them. Often, such technological devices are used for terrorism and other illegal activities.
After the seizing of the container that had almost 64,000 devices, it was learned that there were three other containers hidden in Karachi which too were full of Q-Mobile phones and accessories. These containers have been imported from Jebel Ali by Digicom and were given clearance by KICT.
Q-Mobile has been trying to avoid documentation, taxes, and duty that they are supposed to be paying Pakistan on every single phone that is brought into the country.
The seized container held phones/tablets were Rs. 285 million. It is unknown that how many phones in the market which belong to Q-Mobile have been imported illegally previous to the raid conducted in Karachi. Whatever the case may be, Q-Mobile, from here on, will be under harsh scrutiny and legal accountability.
