ISLMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued SRO 1655(I)/2025, granting extraordinary powers to Mr. Yaqoob Mako, Director General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA). He is also known as General Mako for his hard stance against snuggling and corruption.
The notification confers upon Yaqoob Mako full authority under the Customs Act, 1969, allowing him to oversee valuation, audit, data exchange, fiscal fraud investigations, arrest without warrant, and the confiscation and recovery of goods. He has also been given command of the WeBOC system and the mandate to establish a Data Analytics Centre, effectively centralizing enforcement and oversight under his leadership.
Mako, widely respected for his integrity and expertise in anti-smuggling operations, personally drafted the SRO, demonstrating not only his legal acumen but also his strategic vision for reform. Trusted by the highest offices in the country, Mako’s approval is now considered essential for any major customs decision. His recent work as head of the Facilitation Mechanism earned him praise from the Prime Minister and other senior officials, reinforcing his reputation as a reformer committed to transparency and accountability.
Throughout his career, Mako has been at the forefront of the fight against mis-declarations and collusion within the department. He has filed hundreds of FIRs against traders and customs officers and defended these cases in the country’s top judicial forums. His refusal to accept a recent posting as Chief Collector Enforcement underscores his commitment to institutional reform over personal advancement. Having previously served as Chief Collector Enforcement in Quetta and Karachi, and as Member FBR, Mako’s contributions have consistently been marked by selflessness and rigor.
The issuance of this SRO is seen by many as a reclamation of lost ground, especially in the wake of Faceless Customs Assessment, which had left the department vulnerable to manipulation by powerful trading interests. Mako reportedly overruled several senior officers to ensure that all powers under the Customs Act were vested in his office. He now has the authority to issue binding directives to all Collectors of Customs and can invoke any section of the Act to pursue cases of evasion and fraud. No office in the history of Pakistan’s customs has ever been granted such sweeping powers.
Customs officers believe that PCA will reach new heights under Yaqoob Mako’s leadership. His team, including Nosheen Riaz, Tausif Gurchani, and Faizan Badaer, played a key role in drafting the SRO, signaling a new era of data-driven enforcement and centralized oversight. However, concerns remain about the potential misuse of these powers, particularly the authority to arrest without warrant and block containers, which could be used to harass legitimate taxpayers if not exercised judiciously.
