FBR Seeks Details of 3 Planes Imported by Bhoja Air

[Abbas Ali]

Bhagwandas

KARACHI, Sept 20: The Federal Board of Revenue has requested the Civil Aviation Authority to provide details about the three aircraft imported by Bhoja Air allegedly on “highly under-invoiced value”.

During its investigation, the FBR’s intelligence and investigation directorate general has found that the aircraft were owned by Arshad Jalil, managing director and CEO of Bhoja Air, through his Sharjah-based company, but he declared them as obtained on lease to evade customs duties and other taxes.

In his letter to the CAA’s airworthiness director, FBR official Jameel Baloch says: “In pursuance of an information of directorate general of Intelligence and Investigations, FBR, regional Office Karachi is conducting an investigation regarding import of two Boeing 737-200 and one Boeing 737-400 aircraft (total three), imported by M/s Bhoja Air Limited which have been cleared on mis-declared value on the basis of dry-lease agreement.

“During the course of investigation it has come on surface that the said aircraft are in fact owned by Arshad Jalil, managing director and CEO of M/s Bhoja Air Limited and the aircraft should have been cleared on its actual invoice value instead of dry-lease agreement, which caused colossal loss to the state exchequer. The three aircraft have been registered with the Civil Aviation Authority as per following details.

“1) Boeing 737-200 registration No: AP-BKC; 2) Boeing 737-200 registration No: AP-BKD; and 3) Boeing 737-400 registration No: AP-BKF.

As the investigation into the matter is in progress it is requested to provide the certified copies of the following documents in respect of the import and registration of aforesaid three aircraft.

“i) copy of dry lease agreements in respect of the three aircraft; ii) airworthiness certificate issued to the three aircraft; iii) copies of goods declarations along with invoices and other related documents submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority for the registration of the aircraft; and iv) any other documents helpful in the investigation.

“The above information is requisitioned in terms of Section 26 of the Customs Act, 1969.”

Source: DAWN

[saadm80]

Bhoja Air has gone Down the Drain...

[newflyer]

The only concern is about the heirs of the crash and a wish that they get their due rights.

What's the status of aircraft that was leased to Shaheen? Wasn't that deal stopped by the CAA?

[Abbas Ali]

After notice taken by CAA and FBR, I think chances of former Bhoja Air Boeing 737s (AP-BKD and AP-BKF) operating flights for any airline are slim at the moment.

Most probably the two Boeing 737s already are or will be impounded by CAA or FBR. Possibility of these two aircraft auctioned by CAA or any other authority like for example under some court order for recovery of any outstanding dues to be paid to CAA or FBR or for payment of at least some portion of compensation money to relatives of Bhoja Air flight B4-213 crash victims cannot be ruled out.

Any other Boeing 737-200s related in any way to Bhoja Air owner/shareholder stored/parked at Karachi Airport may also get impounded and auctioned.

I remember there were reports that some of the active or grounded Shaheen Air Boeing 737-200s were also linked to Bhoja Air owner/shareholder in some way.

Abbas

[newflyer]

^

Thanks for the info. The CAA or the court better act swiftly as otherwise the worth of these jets will go down further.

You mentioned Shaheen jets related to Bhoja owner that are parked at KHI. Any info how many jets Arshad Jaleel owned and had leased out to companies? I don't think Pakistan can impound the jets he has registered in Dubai under Jet Aviation though a strong court order can open some ways to do that??

[mac777]

so arshad jaleel owns all the 737-200 being operated in pakistan? not a bad idea to obtain seat capacity at a cheap rate. has he joined back shaheen?
maybe now his company will own all the 737-400 being operated in pakistan.
i consider it a 'silent' success story to own boeings like people own cars...wow
=D>
fbr should be rid of such restrictive taxes. it will encourage comapanies to buy and register in pakistan instead of registering in uae and then dry lease it back via a linked company

[Moin]

I thought there were minimal duties imposed upon the import of aircraft.