Islamabad, July 16, 2023 – High-level transfers have sent shockwaves through Pakistan Customs as the organization grapples with recent reports of bribery and corruption.
The urgency displayed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) led to the notification of transfers for several high-ranking officers of the Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) on Sunday, which is typically a weekly holiday.
Sources within the FBR have revealed that these transfers were carried out to preempt any potential complications in an ongoing, undisclosed inquiry. The reshuffle, which took place on July 16, 2023, saw the following officers being transferred and posted to new positions:
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1 Muhammad Saqif Saeed (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Chief (Admin Pool), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad. He previously served as the Director of the Directorate of Transit Trade (HQ), Karachi.
2. Usman Bajwa (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Chief (Admin Pool), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad. His previous assignment was as the Collector of the Collectorate of Customs (Exports), Custom House, Karachi.
3. Basit Maqsood Abbasi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-20) currently holds the position of Collector, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Karachi. In addition to his existing duties, he has also been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the role of Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Exports), Custom House, Karachi.
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4. Muhammad Amir Thahim (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Chief (Admin Pool), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad. He previously served as the Collector of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Custom House, Karachi.
5. Ms. Zahra Haider (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-20) is presently working as the Collector of the Collectorate of Customs (Appeals), Lahore. Additionally, she has been assigned the task of overseeing the duties of the Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Faisalabad.
6. Ms. Saadia Sheeraz (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) currently holds the position of Director (OPS) at the Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi. She has been given the additional responsibility of overseeing the role of Director (OPS), Directorate of Transit Trade (HQ), Karachi.
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These high-level transfers within the PCS come in the wake of a recently published report highlighting significant tax evasion related to the import of solar panels. The FBR had previously announced on July 14, 2023, that Dr. Zulfikar Ali Chaudhary (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21) would be transferred and posted as the Director General of the Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit & Internal Audit, Karachi (Stationed at Islamabad). He was previously serving as the Director General of the Customs Academy of Pakistan (CAP), Karachi.
Interestingly, Abdul Qadir Memon (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21) was removed from the post of Director General of the Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit & Internal Audit, Karachi, and reassigned as the Director General of the Customs Academy of Pakistan (CAP), Karachi.
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Moreover, on July 12, 2023, the FBR made the decision to remove Mukarram Jah Ansari (PCS/BS-22), the most senior officer, from his position as Member (Customs-Operations) at FBR HQ in Islamabad. He was subsequently transferred to the position of Member (Legal & Accounting – Customs) at FBR HQ in Islamabad. Ms. Zeba Hai Azhar (PCS/BS-21) has been appointed as the new Member (Customs-Operations) at FBR Headquarters, Islamabad, following her previous role as Member (Legal & Accounting-Customs) at FBR HQ, Islamabad.
These recent transfers indicate a significant shake-up within Pakistan Customs, highlighting the organization’s commitment to addressing issues of corruption and ensuring transparency and efficiency in its operations. The moves also reflect the FBR’s determination to restore public trust and strengthen the customs service’s ability to combat illicit practices.
