Islamabad, November 13, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a major penalty on a customs officer for facilitating the clearance of smuggled goods at Lahore Airport.
The officer, Muhammad Abdullah, Inspector Customs (BS-16) at the Collectorate of Customs Airports, Lahore, was found guilty of inefficiency, misconduct, and corruption following a detailed departmental inquiry. The decision comes under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
According to the FBR notification, Abdullah was placed under inquiry after allegations surfaced that he deliberately cleared bags containing 50 iPhones and other smuggled items. CCTV footage and voice messages obtained during the investigation confirmed the officer’s involvement in facilitating the illegal clearance. The recordings revealed that he coordinated with a handler to allow the passenger’s smuggled goods to pass through the scanning machine undetected.
During a personal hearing conducted via video link on October 28, 2025, Abdullah admitted to being on scanning duty but claimed weak eyesight prevented him from properly seeing the scanned images. He also stated that his request to be relieved from the scanning duty had been made verbally but was not officially approved.
The Inquiry Officer, Usman Tariq (PCS/BS-19), concluded that Abdullah actively participated in the smuggling facilitation and recommended a major penalty of compulsory retirement. The FBR’s Member (Admn/HR) reviewed the report, hearing submissions, and evidence, and endorsed the recommendation.
The FBR confirmed that the officer has the right to appeal the decision within 30 days under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977.
This action underscores the FBR’s commitment to strict enforcement of customs regulations and zero tolerance for corruption or misconduct within Pakistan’s customs operations.