ISLAMABAD: Member Customs Zahid Khokhar has sought the report from relevant Customs authorities regarding the issue of importers complaints about blackmailing by few Customs officials at R&D Port Qasim and directed them to resolve the issue at the earliest.
It is pertinent to mention here that several incidents of blackmailing have been reported by importers against few Customs officials deputed at R&D Port Qasim. Importers are suffering due to the blackmailing of few black sheep in the Customs Department, especially Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan at R&D Port Qasim.
According to FBR sources, Member Customs Zahid Khokhar has adopted very strict policy against corruption and he had already issued the orders that if any complaint received regarding corruption, the customs authority concerned will investigate the matter on priority basis and treat the guilty official as per relevant laws.
While taking to Customs Today, the Member Customs said, “Corruption is an enemy of Pakistan and we want to eradicate this menace from Federal Board of Revenue and for this, we need public cooperation”.
He warned all corrupt elements to leave such practices otherwise they have to harvest the same they cultivate. He directed all officers and staffers to perform their duties with honesty and commitment. He said if business community faces any difficulties, they need to approach FBR directly, the Board will resolve their issues on priority.
Earlier, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad has taken serious notice of the importers’ complaints of blackmailing by few Customs officials, especially Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan, deputed at R&D Port Qasim and directed the authorities concerned to investigate the matter and report him urgently.
He said corruption and corrupt officials will not be tolerated, “if any official found involved in such kind of activities, he/she shall be punished as per relevant laws.”
“There is no room in Federal Board of Revenue for those persons who are stigma on the face of our institution,” he added.
