PESHAWAR: Chief Collector Customs Appraisement Peshawar, Abdul Waheed Marwat, has ordered a comprehensive audit of all pay orders submitted at the Azakhel Dry Port over the past two fiscal years following complaints of financial irregularities.
Speaking with Customs Today, Chief Collector Abdul Waheed Marwat stated that three First Information Reports (FIRs) have already been registered after initial checks revealed the presence of fake pay orders. The FIRs nominate both the implicated private companies and the Customs officials held responsible for the lapse.
“A thorough audit covering all pay orders and related financial transactions submitted during the last two financial years will be completed,” Marwat said. He stressed that legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty—whether a private firm or Customs staff—and that all possible efforts will be made to recover the lost state revenue.
Clarifying the scope of the investigation, the Chief Collector confirmed that senior supervisory officers such as Assistant Collectors (ACs), Deputy Collectors (DCs) posted at the dry port during those two financial years will not be dragged into the inquiry unless directly responsible.
He quoted that “only officials of Customs who were responsible for that task he added that responsibility as per law, “we cannot punish those who were not directly related to this job description,” Marwat clarified.
He added that the majority of the pay orders audited so far have been verified as legitimate and set aside. However, strict legal action will proceed against those involved in submitting or processing fraudulent pay orders.
