ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a disciplinary penalty on a Customs Inspector posted at Islamabad Airport after he was found negligent in including a detained liquor consignment in a destruction list, even though the detention order had already been set aside by a court.
According to an official FBR notification, departmental proceedings were initiated against Manzoor Hussain, Inspector Customs (BS-17), under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020, on charges of inefficiency and misconduct.
Show-Cause Notice and Hearing
FBR issued a direct show-cause notice to the officer on January 23, 2026, seeking a written defense within ten days. As no reply was received, he was summoned for a personal hearing held on February 4, 2026.
During the hearing, Syeda Sadaf Ali Shah, Deputy Collector Customs, appeared as the departmental representative and presented relevant records. She informed the authority that a fact-finding inquiry—conducted on the directions of the Federal Tax Ombudsman—had established negligence on the part of the officer, who was serving as In-Charge of the State Warehouse.
The inquiry revealed that the liquor consignment was destroyed on March 6, 2024, despite the Collector of Customs (Appeals), Islamabad, having already set aside the detention order on January 17, 2023.
Furthermore, the department’s appeal against that decision was pending before the Customs Appellate Tribunal at the time and was eventually dismissed on January 25, 2025.
Officer Denies Intentional Negligence
The accused officer stated that the destruction of goods was carried out on the recommendations of the Destruction Committee and claimed he had not been informed that the liquor consignment was sub-judice.
After reviewing the inquiry report, show-cause notice, and oral submissions, the Member (Administration/HR) concluded that while negligence was established, there was no evidence of mala fide intent. However, the authority emphasized that as warehouse in-charge, the officer was expected to exercise greater vigilance before placing goods on the destruction list.
Minor Penalty Imposed
Considering the circumstances and the officer’s approaching retirement, FBR decided to impose a minor penalty of “Censure” under Rule 4(2)(a) read with Rule 7(f) of the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.
The officer has been granted the right to file an appeal under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977 within 30 days of receiving the order.
