Karachi, October 20, 2023 – In a significant development, a female customs officer, Ms. Bushra Aafrin, has been handed a major penalty of dismissal from service by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) due to her unauthorized absence from duty.
The disciplinary proceedings against Ms. Bushra Aafrin, who held the position of Appraising Officer (BS-16) at the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (East), Lahore, were initiated following her prolonged unauthorized absence from duty, beginning on September 1, 2022.
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The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took action against the accused officer by issuing a direct Show Cause Notice on July 4, 2023, in accordance with Rule-7 of the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020. As a consequence, she was placed under suspension, as per Rule-5(1) of the same rules, via the Board’s notification No. 1719-C-III/2023, dated July 5, 2023.
The Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (East), Lahore was tasked with serving the Order of Inquiry/Show Cause Notice to Ms. Bushra Aafrin, with multiple reminders issued to ensure compliance, dated July 26, 2023, and August 7, 2023. In response to these notices, the Collectorate forwarded the acknowledgment receipt of the Show Cause Notice, which was duly received on August 21, 2023, by the husband of the accused.
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Despite repeated opportunities and an additional final Show Cause Notice published in leading national newspapers on September 29, 2023, and October 1, 2023, the accused officer failed to furnish any reply, suggesting a lack of defense on her part.
As a result, the charge of unauthorized absence from duty since September 1, 2022, was conclusively established against Ms. Bushra Aafrin. Following a thorough review of the available record and facts of the case, the Member (Admn/HR)/Authority made the decision to impose a major penalty of “Removal from Service” in accordance with Rule-7(c) & Rule-16(7)(b)(ii) read with Rule-4(3)(d) of the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.
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Ms. Bushra Aafrin retains the right to appeal this order to the Appellate Authority under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977, within a period of 30 days from the date of communication of this notification.
