FCC orders fresh test of seized chemical in customs smuggling case

• Says goods be released if substance is not smuggled Iranian petrol• Questions risks of keeping fuel-laden tankers impounded for nearly three years

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday ordered fresh testing of a seized chemical within two weeks by a laboratory approved by the Oil. Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to determine whether the substance was light aliphatic hydrocarbon (LAH) or, as alleged by Customs authorities, smuggled Iranian petrol.

The chemical wasseizedby the Directorate of Customs Intellige­nce and Investigation, Lahore, in 2023.

A three-member FCC bench, headed by Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi. comprising Justice Rozi Khan Barrech and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, also indicated that if the fresh test confirmed the substance to be LAH, as claimed by the respondent, the seized goods should be released immediately.

Senior counsel Wasim Sajjad. Idrees Ashraf represented the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation before the FCC, which is hearing an appeal against a Dec 12, 2023 judgement by the Lahore High Court. The LHC had held that the goods had already been assessed. that the petitioner department had “absolutely no authority to reassess the same”.

During the hearing. the court expressed concern over the continued impounding of oil tankers carrying flammable substances for nearly three years. “Who will be responsible if someone’s cigarette ignites a fire?” Justice Rizvi asked. observing that keeping tankers loaded with volatile chemicals parked for such a prolonged period posed serious risks.

Justice Rizvi also noted that the tanker drivers may have been rendered unemployed. of the lengthy seizure of the vehicles by Customs authorities.

Sajjad argued, however, that the seized substance was petrol allegedly smuggled from Iran in oil tankers.

Justice Barrech observed that blending chemicals with hydrocarbons to produce petrol had become a lucrative business.

Earlier, the Directorate of Cus­toms Intelligence. Inves­tiga­tion received information that several illegal storage, dumping and mixing sites — commonly known as Daba stations — had been established near Machikay in Sheikhupura. According to the information, the operators were supplying diesel. petrol after mixing various chemicals and solvents while using import documents or invoices issued by oil depots of oil-marketing companies (OMCs) as cover.

Consequently, a joint team comprising Customs intelligence officials and the district administration visited the site on Oct 9, 2023. The owners, who belonged to Gujranwala district, failed to produce the required documents, including an OMC dealership ce­­rtificate. licence under the Petroleum Act 1934, Petroleum Rules 1937, Ogra Ordinance 2002, Pakistan Petroleum (Refin­ing, Blending and Marketing) Rules 1971, Pakistan Oil (Refi­ning, Blending, Transportation, Storage and Marketing) Rules 2016, and other relevant laws.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026