The Government of Pakistan has instituted an official inquiry into the alleged smuggling network involving customs officials and private civilians, following the instructions from the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) to summon several high-ranking customs officers before an inquiry committee.
The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad, in a formal letter, summoned the following officers for the inquiry:
- Wajid Zaman, Additional Collector (HQs), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad.
- Osama Dastgir Malik, Assistant Collector (ASO/HQs), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad.
- Farhad Ullah Khan, Assistant Collector (ASO), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad.
- Babar Hussain, Superintendent (ASO), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad.
- Muhammad Ahsan, Inspector (Car Cell), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad.
- Ali Raza Shah, Inspector (Gate Duty), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad.
These officers are facing innumerable accusations of facilitating smuggling. Their driver, named Junaid, is charged with owning several vehicles associated with illegal activities. These officers are suspected of maintaining personal relationships with smugglers and assisting with the illegal movement of foreign alcohol, clothing, cosmetics, and other high-value goods. Besides, they are accused of providing facilitation at the airport for smuggling.
The inquiry derives from a letter from PMIC (Ref. No. 1(2)/Dir/Inq-Customs/PMIC-2025) dated February 28, 2025, which has directed the officers concerned to appear before the inquiry committee on March 3, 2025 (Monday) at 11:30 AM in the Conference Room of PMIC, PM Office, Islamabad.
The step in question bears testimony to the government’s efforts toward eliminating smuggling, ensuring transparency in the customs enforcement chain, and expectedly, more details concerning the inquiry are soon to follow.
