ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reinstated a customs official of Islamabad International Airport (IIAP), who failed to detect narcotics from a flour mixing machine and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) recovered the same from imported consignment.

According to a notification issued by the FBR on Thursday, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Shakeel Ahmed, Inspector Customs (TS/BS-17) (under suspension), Collectorate of Customs Islamabad International Airport (IIAP), Islamabad on account of “Inefficiency, Misconduct & Corruption”.

During joint examination by ANF and Customs staff, narcotics were recovered from a flour mixing machine packed in cartons which were neither mentioned in the examination report nor in the invoice. The accused official should have checked the proper uploading of documents such as packing list and should have conducted proper and detailed examination. The smuggling attempt was thwarted by the timely intervention of the scanning staff of GHA. The recovery of narcotics could be made at earliest stage, FBR added.

Details revealed that the accused while posted at AFU (Export) Royal Menzies Shed was assigned examination of GD No. 44897 dated 14.04.2024. During the examination, the accused over looked the mandatory requirement. The examination report did not commensurate with the goods which were later physically found. The GD was processed without uploading of proper packing list. Similarly, the invoice uploaded in the system was vague and irrelevant to the consignment. The documents uploaded in the WeBOC system were self-contradictory, therefore, the GD was liable to be stopped. Thus, the examiner had committed negligence which resulted in undue/unlawful processing/clearance.

The accused official was not present during the scanning of the shipment under question due to which reason the recovered contraband goods were taken over by the ANF.

The accused should have checked the proper uploading of documents such as packing list and should have conducted proper and detailed examination. His inefficiency could have resulted in the smuggling of Narcotics.

During the course of hearing the accused Inspector stated that initially ANF examined the consignment themselves and through their sniffer dog and did not find any narcotics. He also examined 30% consignment as per SOP and did not find any Narcotics. At the time of scanning of the goods, staff of GHA did not call him. During the course of hearing, the accused Inspector reiterated the arguments put forth in his written reply to the Show Cause Notice and did not produce any cogent reason / proof / evidence in support of his innocence.

The has decided to impose minor penalty of “Reduction to three lower stages, in pay scale, for a period of three years without cumulative effect” upon Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, Inspector Customs (under suspension), Collectorate of Customs(IIAP), Islamabad under Rule-4(2)(c) of the Civil Servant (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.

Moreover, the accused is also re-instated into the Government Service with immediate effect and the period of his suspension is treated as leave of kind due as admissible under the Revised Leave Rules, 1980.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024