Entertainment
FBR finds custom officers, MRAs involved in regularisation of smuggled vehicles
- FBR introduced “Auction Module” in its WeBOC system in 2021.
- 103 vehicles fraudulently uploaded using fake user identities: FBR.
- Seven FIRs lodges, 13 individuals arrested in connection with scam.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has unearthed a major scandal and found Customs officers involved in collusion with the Motor Registration Authorities (MRAs) and car dealers in the regularisation of over 100 smuggled vehicles, The News reported on Thursday.
It may be recalled that in order to strengthen control mechanisms and prevent the misuse of auctioned vehicles, FBR in August 2021 introduced the “Auction Module” in its WeBOC system.
This system enhancement was aimed at addressing the issue of multiple vehicles being registered against documents issued by Customs after the auction of confiscated smuggled vehicles.
Through this module, MRAs were enabled to verify auctioned vehicle details online before registration, significantly reducing reliance on paper-based manual verifications. The goal was to both strengthen institutional controls and facilitate legitimate buyers.
However, despite these reforms, reports emerged in July 2025 regarding the misuse of the aforementioned Auction Module. In response, FBR immediately initiated an inquiry into the matter.
Since the module’s launch, details of 1,909 vehicles had been uploaded on the system. Upon detailed scrutiny, it was discovered that 103 of these vehicles had been fraudulently uploaded using fake user identities. MRAs had already registered 43 out of these 103 smuggled vehicles, effectively granting them an appearance of legal clearance.
Based on a digital audit and internal investigations, the FBR identified the user IDs through which the fraud was committed. As a result, on July 9, 2025, FBR suspended one Deputy Collector and one Assistant Collector, whose credentials had been misused in the commission of this crime.
The investigation further revealed that this was part of a wider criminal racket involving officials from MRAs and car dealers. Recognising the gravity of the issue, FBR determined that the matter warranted action beyond internal disciplinary proceedings.
Accordingly, a formal request by FBR was made on July 9, 2025 for the constitution of a Joint Investigation Committee (JIT), comprising senior officers from the FIA, Customs and Intelligence Agencies. The JIT was tasked with a comprehensive probe into the scam, including the manipulation of the Customs digital system.
Following FBR’s formal complaint to FIA dated 10th July, 2025, the JIT commenced its investigation. As a result, on 28th August, 2025, the FIA lodged an FIR against already identified officers, after being found involved in fraudulently legalising smuggled vehicles.
On Wednesday, these individuals were formally arrested by FIA.
It is also pertinent to mention that Customs Enforcement has so far lodged seven FIRs and arrested 13 individuals in connection with this broader scam.
Entertainment
Chris Pratt opens up about stage name he once considered
Chris Pratt revealed opened up his early days in the industry as he revealed that he almost went by a different name.
The 46-year-old actor said he once seriously thought about going with Christo, a nickname he got while working at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Maui.
His name tag had the last letters rubbed off, so it just said Christo and everyone at work started calling him that.
He told the story on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz.
Pratt said the nickname stuck with him for a while and he even considered keeping it when he moved to Los Angeles to chase his acting dreams.
In the end, the Jurassic World actor kept his real name as his first role came in 2000 in a short film called Cursed Part 3 after director Rae Dawn Chong spotted him at the restaurant.
Pratt also talked about artificial intelligence in movies where he criticised the AI actress Tilly Norwood, saying that he doesn’t think machines can replace real actors.
However, he called it fake and said human talent will always matter no matter what.
Whereas Tilly’s creator, Eline van der Velden, defended while saying that the AI was made for creative tools like puppets or animation, a new way to explore stories without replacing real performers.
Entertainment
Rose Byrne finally earns Oscars nod she’s waited for
Rose Byrne has been finally nominated for her first-ever Oscar, a huge moment in her career.
The 46-year-old Australian actress earned a spot in the Best Actress category for her charming role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
This achievement came after her recent Golden Globes win, making it even more special time for her.
Byrne admitted that she was completely shocked when she got to know her Oscars nod.
“I can’t believe it. I feel like I’ve snuck into the back of the bus,” she said to Hollywood Reporter.
The actress added that being part of the Oscars’ history and ceremony felt overwhelming but amazing.
As a little girl in Sydney, she used to watch the star-studded event and dreamed about a moment like this in her entire life.
The Platonic star also shared a sweet update about her family which included the bearded dragon her husband Bobby Cannavale and their kids at the Globes.
“He’s doing well! The kids are very happy,” she shared.
However, Rose faced tough competition this year, including Jessie Buckley, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone.
At that same time, films like Sinners made history with record nominations, while some favourites like Ariana Grande were surprisingly left out.
The 98th Academy Awards, for the unversed, will take place at the Dolby Theatre on March 15.
Entertainment
US warships head to Middle East amid Iran tensions
- USS Abraham Lincoln moves from Asia-Pacific: US officials.
- Say other assets to arrive in ME in coming days.
- Trump says Iran ‘can’t do the nuclear’.
WASHINGTON: A US military aircraft carrier strike group and other assets will arrive in the Middle East region in the coming days, two US officials said on Thursday, even as President Donald Trump voiced hopes of avoiding new military action against Iran.
US warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, several destroyers and fighter aircraft, started moving from the Asia-Pacific last week as tensions between Iran and the United States soared following a severe crackdown on protests across Iran in recent months.
One of the officials said additional air defence systems were also being considered for the Middle East. The United States often increases troop levels in the region at moments of heightened tension, something experts note can be entirely defensive in nature.
However, the US military staged a major build-up last summer ahead of its June strikes against Iran’s nuclear programme, and later boasted about how it kept its intention to strike a secret.
Trump had repeatedly threatened to intervene against Iran over the recent killings of protesters there, but demonstrations dwindled last week and Trump’s rhetoric on Iran has since eased. He has shifted his focus to other geopolitical issues, including his pursuit of Greenland.
On Wednesday, Trump said he hoped there would not be further US military action in Iran, but said the United States would act if Tehran resumed its nuclear programme.
“They can’t do the nuclear,” Trump told CNBC in an interview in Davos, Switzerland, referring to major US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025. “If they do it, it’s going to happen again.”
It has now been at least seven months since the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, last verified Iran’s stock of highly enriched uranium. Its own guidance says such checks should be carried out monthly.
Iran must file a report to the IAEA on what happened at the sites struck by the United States and on nuclear material believed to have been there, including an estimated 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% weapons-grade level. That is enough material, if enriched further, for 10 nuclear bombs, according to an IAEA yardstick.
It remains unclear whether protests in Iran could surge again. The demonstrations began on December 28 as modest protests in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over economic hardship and quickly spread nationwide.
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