MULTAN: In a move that has sent ripples through the Multan Customs community, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) recently enacted key personnel transfers and structural changes as part of its new Customs reforms, raising concerns and uncertainties among Customs officers regarding their future roles.
Under the latest reforms, Assistant Collector Zaigham Ali has been transferred from Headquarters to Multan International Airport, Deputy Collector Fareed ud Din Masood has moved from the Airport to Deputy Director Headquarters, and Deputy Collector Maryam Jamila has been reassigned to Dera Ghazi Khan following the announcement of the new Indus Collectorate.
These personnel changes are set against a backdrop of substantial FBR restructuring aimed at removing duplicate enforcement roles between the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (Customs) and the newly established Enforcement Directorate General. The FBR has asserted that the transformation will streamline anti-smuggling operations under one unified structure without compromising the core functions of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation.
In response to speculation, the FBR released a statement rejecting media claims that suggested the Directorate’s mandate would be diminished, reaffirming that its role remains intact. Instead, the overhaul is intended to address redundancy in regional offices, reallocating personnel to strengthen enforcement and anti-smuggling operations nationwide. The FBR highlighted the need to enhance efficiency and improve coordination with law enforcement, given the Directorate’s limited resources—currently operating with just 293 personnel across Pakistan.
Despite the official explanation, the rapid restructuring has stirred uncertainty and concern within Multan’s Customs community. Officers are reportedly apprehensive about how these changes will impact their roles and the broader Customs enforcement landscape, as the FBR moves forward with its comprehensive transformation plan.
Sources indicate that while the reforms promise to elevate the enforcement capabilities of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, questions linger regarding the future organizational structure and individual responsibilities for many Customs employees.
As Multan Customs officers navigate the transition, they await further guidance on the implications of these reforms for their professional futures.
