IMPORT OF RECONDITIONED
CARS – A MAFIA
25 March 2004
A lot is appearing in these columns about government’s intention perhaps to allow import of reconditioned cars. Some have welcome this and some have criticised. Both have given much evaluated strong arguments. But one asspect has been left.
It is my belief governments rightly introduce welfare schemes but the unknown forces keep a back door open for their vested interests. For example when under interim caretaker government a hue and cry was raised about huge amouts outstanding against some blue eyed telephone subscribers government took a serious note. While phone of ordinary people like me gets cut even after having paid timely, phones of these blue eyed people remained alive for years despite accummulative of 4 to 6 figure arrears. The government desired to stop this. But the vested interest implanted government’s this desire “tactfully” keeping door for their personal interst open. Instead of ensuring that each phone without discrimination gets disconnected in case 2-3 months bills are not paid, these forces prescribed that landlord would be responsible if a tenant left without paying bills. Keeping in view that Bill for calls made in June comes by end August and tenant leaves 30 June it is impossible for a landlord to ensure this. Had the policy drafters been true honest then they could had prescribed arrears to be recovered from salary of concerned PTCL Accounts Officer in whose jurisdiction a phone remains for a year or so alive without making payment. A gas company asked the tenant to pay 5 years accumulated gas bills as his tenant left wihtout payment. Landlord went to Federal Ombudsman. On enquiry it was found tenant had a “link” in gas company hence till tenant lived no gas bill came, as soon as he left accummulated bill came.
I went Middle East in 1984. During those days import of reconditioned or new cars was allowed to Overseas Pakistanis under gift scheme. What I felt was a mafia using this facility. Such mafia people used to visit labour camps or premises of poor labourers offering them cash Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4000 which was a big amount in 1980s and getting their signatures on Gift Scheme Forms and importing cars in their names. Same will happen now. It can only be checked if an Overseas Pakistani is allowed to import or send a gift car provided he has a known monthly salary/income minimum prescribed by the government this otherwise this import will be same like it was in 1980s.