Customs department: 22 officials 'involved' in corruption transferred without probe

Customs department has transferred all those 22 officials, who are allegedly involved in the clearance of imported vehicles against Rs 3 million cash from Appraisement West. Sources told Business Recorder that Chief Collector Appraisement Rasheed Sheikh along with other officials conducted a raid at the Appraisement West (Group VII) designated to the clearance of imported vehicles last month and recovered around 2.7 million cash from one of the appraising officers and 0.3 million from a principal appraiser.
However, no legal action was taken against any official posted at the Appraisement West (Group VII) as some customs clearing agents approached Chief Collector after recovery of the hefty cash amount and gave statements that the recovered cash belonged to them which they took into customs house to pay duty and taxes.
These clearing agents also gave a rationale that the custody of said cash amount was given to the customs officials due to fear of snatching outside customs house, sources maintained. Sources further said that customs department did not allow cash for duty and taxes payments but accept pay-orders only for the purpose. They said that it was unrelated that department agreed to the statements of customs clearing agents and did not initiate inquiry against these officers.
Sources said that department transferred all of them to put dust on the issue with a view to avoid suspension of these officials and inquiry against them. According to the transfer order issued by the Appraisement West on September 9, 2017, all 22 officials including one principal appraiser, four appraisers, one UDC, seven LDC and nine sepoys, who were posted at the Appraisement West (Group VII), have been transferred to SR cell and establishment.