ISLAMABAD, April 19 — Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has suspended several senior customs officials following fresh findings in a high-profile case involving the alleged swapping of seized silver bullion with lead, officials said on Sunday.
The suspensions include a collector of customs (BS-20), a deputy collector (BS-18), an assistant collector (BS-17), and three officers of BS-16 rank. The action follows an expanded inquiry that pointed to possible negligence, inefficiency and direct involvement of additional personnel in the case.
READ MORE: Pakistan Customs arrests officers in alleged silver bullion swap case
Authorities said a criminal investigation is ongoing, and those found responsible will be formally charged under an existing first information report (FIR) registered on April 13. Investigators have also identified other beneficiaries allegedly linked to the case, who will be pursued under the law.
To ensure an independent probe, the FBR has replaced the existing team at the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement in Quetta, appointing new senior officers to oversee the investigation.
The case first emerged earlier this month when Pakistan Customs arrested two preventive officers, Arif Ali Jumani and Samiullah Achakzai, on charges of collusion and suspected tampering with seized bullion.
According to officials, the two officers had been assigned to transport 688 kilograms of confiscated silver from a state warehouse in Quetta to the Pakistan Mint in Lahore on April 5. The shipment, packed in 36 sealed boxes, was flown from Quetta to Allama Iqbal International Airport before being delivered to the mint.
Upon inspection at the facility, authorities discovered that around 400 kilograms of the consignment consisted of lead rather than silver.
A subsequent inquiry, supported by surveillance footage from Safe City Quetta, indicated that the officers allegedly swapped the original consignment during transit with another vehicle carrying counterfeit material of similar packaging.
The FBR said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and misconduct, adding that strict disciplinary and legal action would be taken against all those involved, regardless of rank.
Officials said investigations are continuing to determine the full scope of the case and identify any additional individuals linked to the alleged fraud.