Gilgit court grants bail to Chinese national in pork smuggling case

GILGIT: A customs and banking court in Gilgit on Wednesday granted bail to a Chinese citizen accused of attempting to smuggle 427 kilograms of pork through the Khunjerab border.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Gilgit Baltistan Customs Investigation and Prosecution Branch, the authorities received credible intelligence on May 30, 2025.

The information was accompanied by a video showing the suspect, Shang Manyi, concealing several suitcases and shoulder bags in a washroom near the Awami Barrier, located along the Karakoram Highway.

In response to the tip-off, a coordinated team was formed, comprising Customs Inspector Akbar Ali Khan, Preventive Officer Ghazalah Ali, and other officials from the Customs Department and Military Intelligence (MI. The team intercepted Shang as he reached the Baggage Section at Sost.

Upon breaking open the locks of the washroom, with permission from the Magistrate, the authorities discovered five black suitcases and three shoulder bags, which were transported to the Baggage Section for further examination.

Also read: Pork meat confiscated from passenger at Islamabad airport

Preliminary inspection revealed that the bags contained 427 kilograms of pork, 10 kilograms of Huoxciang Zhengqi Water (a Chinese herbal liquid), and 11 kilograms of various goods, including green tea and Russian olives.

Shang Manyi has been charged under Sections 2(s), 16, and 168 of the Customs Act, 1969, and faces punishment under Section 156(1) sub-clauses (8) and (89) of the same Act. The case is linked to the Import and Export Control Act, 1950, and the Import Policy Order, 2022.

Advocate Farhan Ali appeared before the Gilgit Baltistan Customs and Banking Court on behalf of the Chinese citizen. While speaking to HUM News English, Advocate Ali stated that he presented the argument that the alleged pork meat was not recovered from his client’s direct possession.

He further emphasized that after forensics, it would be clear whether the meat in question is indeed pork or another substance. Until that determination is made, he argued, the suspect should not remain in custody.

Advocate Ali also pointed out that the Customs Act does not have a specific clause regarding pork meat and that the punishment for such offenses does not fall under a prohibitory clause, which typically carries sentences of less than ten years. Therefore, he contended, his client should be granted bail.

The defence lawyer also raised an objection to the timing of the occurrence and the report, arguing that the fact that both occurred at the same time was implausible and that there should have been a gap between the two events.

In response, the special prosecutor argued that the import of pork is a heinous crime, particularly in light of its prohibition under Sharia law, and insisted that the suspect should not be granted bail.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, a special judge of the Gilgit Baltistan Customs and Banking Court granted bail to the Chinese national against a surety bond of Rs 500,000.