President Zardari Involvement In Islamabad Iphones Case Review

In a significant development, President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered a fresh investigation into the alleged destruction of 42 iPhone 14 Pro Max devices by customs officials at Islamabad International Airport. The case has been remanded back to the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) for a thorough examination to determine whether the phones could have been legally cleared upon payment of duties and taxes. This directive follows claims from the importer that customs authorities falsely reported the destruction of the devices, with iCloud records indicating that some phones remain active. The importer has alleged financial and reputational losses and is seeking accountability from the responsible officials, as well as compensation for the losses incurred, which are estimated at Rs10.6 million. The FTO has been instructed to resolve the matter within one month of receiving the president's order, reflecting the urgency of the situation.