FBR withholds two increments from a Preventive Officer after undeclared goods were found in a consignment cleared following a detailed examination.
KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a financial and career penalty on a Preventive Officer for negligence in examining a customs declaration after a subsequent inspection uncovered substantial quantities of undeclared goods.
The disciplinary action was taken against Mubashir Ali, Preventive Officer (BS-16), Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West), Karachi, who had been suspended in connection with disciplinary proceedings involving allegations of inefficiency, misconduct and corruption.
The officer was suspended through an FBR notification dated December 17, 2025.
According to the disciplinary order, an inquiry was initiated through an Order of Inquiry, Charge Sheet and Statement of Allegations issued on January 15, 2026. Asdaq Afzal Sensera, PCS/BS-20, was appointed as the Inquiry Officer.
The Inquiry Officer submitted his report on April 14, 2026, concluding that the charge of inefficiency against the officer had been established and initially recommending the minor penalty of censure.
Undeclared goods discovered in consignment
The case centred on GD No. KAPW-HC-81856-05-11-2025, which had been assigned to the officer for examination through the WeBOC Risk Management System (RMS) under the red channel for detailed scrutiny.
According to the FBR, the officer failed to detect concealment, misdeclaration of description and quantity, and undeclared high-value items while preparing his examination report.
A subsequent detailed re-examination of the consignment uncovered 24,000 GMB-brand universal joints originating from Japan, along with refurbished laptops and auto parts that had not been declared in the Goods Declaration (GD).
The FBR concluded that the officer had failed to carry out the required detailed scrutiny and thorough examination of the container.
Officer cites heavy workload
During the disciplinary proceedings, Mubashir Ali denied any malicious or wilful intent. He maintained that the consignment contained different types of bearings and argued that the importer had deliberately concealed the goods.
The officer also cited a heavy backlog of containers awaiting examination, saying the concealment could not be detected under the circumstances. He maintained that he had conducted the examination to the best of his ability and without any mala fide intention.
The FBR authority, however, rejected the explanation, observing that workload or a backlog of containers could not justify examining a consignment hastily without the required level of care and scrutiny.
Misconduct and corruption charges not established
After reviewing the inquiry report, show-cause notice, the officer’s reply, personal hearing proceedings and submissions from both sides, the Member (Admn/HR), FBR, found no evidence establishing wilful or malicious intent.
Consequently, the charges of misconduct and corruption were not established during the inquiry.
However, the authority found the charge of inefficiency and negligence to be proven, as the officer had failed to conduct a sufficiently detailed examination to detect the concealed goods.
The authority also determined that the censure recommended by the Inquiry Officer was too lenient given the nature of the negligence.
Two increments withheld for two years
The FBR consequently imposed the minor penalty of withholding two increments for two years without cumulative effect on Mubashir Ali.
The penalty was imposed with immediate effect under Rule 4(2)(b) read with Rule 16(7)(b) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The officer was also reinstated into government service. His period of suspension from December 17, 2025 until the date of the order will be treated as leave, subject to the applicable provisions of the Revised Leave Rules, 1980.
In addition, the FBR ordered that the officer’s performance allowance be stopped for six months from the date of the penalty. He will be required to appear afresh after completion of the six-month period.
Mubashir Ali has the right to appeal against the order within 30 days of its communication under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977.