The recent arrest of Customs Superintendent Asghar Puriwal marks a significant breakthrough in a long-standing investigation into customs-related corruption and theft. This operation, largely credited to Collector Customs Saeed Wattoo, culminated in Puriwal’s dramatic capture following the cancellation of his bail. After evading authorities for an extended period, he sought refuge in a lawyers’ chamber, but customs officials and national security agencies closed in and arrested him as he allegedly attempted to flee through a back exit.
The case surrounding Asghar Puriwal is only one part of a broader investigation involving multiple figures, including Faisal Dallon and Rida Spector, owners of the entity known as Mughalang, who were also previously arrested for theft of goods. Updates on their legal status, including the bail position of individuals like Kaka Butt and Far Butt, are expected to emerge soon. The arrest of Puriwal, who once served as an investigation officer, was long overdue he had been accused of disappearing during a major inquiry after an FIR was registered regarding a large-scale theft from customs custody.
During the investigation, it was discovered that significant quantities of goods were tampered with or replaced altogether items like raw materials were substituted with garbage or even sand. There are allegations that items such as milk and toothpaste were switched out, raising serious concerns about the oversight mechanisms in place. The presence of CCTV cameras and security personnel did not prevent these acts, prompting questions about internal complicity or systemic loopholes. Witnesses, including informers and guards, began to come forward, revealing shocking levels of corruption and detailing how stolen items were sold off to local businesses, often with the use of private vehicles.
The investigative team believes that Puriwal was not acting alone, with strong suspicions of a coordinated network involving others like Faisal Dallon and members of the so-called Samogar group. Their tactics included staging absences during key investigative moments Puriwal, for example, once excused himself to visit a washroom and then vanished for four months. The timing of his anticipated retirement has now become a point of contention, with calls to strip him of pension benefits due to the losses inflicted on the national treasury. Precedents exist, such as a recent ruling against a retired official named Ali Raza, who was fined Rs. 5 million from his pension days before his retirement.
Another implicated figure, Ghaffar Butt, who worked as an informer for the customs department, claimed long-standing service but failed to justify the wealth and assets he accumulated over the years. The authorities were taken aback when records revealed lavish properties and unexplained funds. Testimonies also emerged describing a culture of excess, with accused officials reportedly switching between multiple mobile phones daily an indicator of the wealth gained from illicit practices.
This network of corruption highlights a systemic failure across departments like FBR and Customs. The public consensus is growing that arrests alone are not enough; exemplary punishments, financial recoveries, and institutional reforms are urgently required. Only when those who undermine public trust are held fully accountable can a deterrent be established and faith in governance restored.
