LAHORE: A sweeping investigation by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has uncovered large-scale corruption within Pakistan Customs, resulting in strict disciplinary action against multiple officials, according to official notifications issued on Thursday.
In one case, the FBR imposed a major penalty of compulsory retirement on Mr. Tariq Mehmood, a Superintendent Preventive Service (BS-16) posted at the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Karachi. The action followed a detailed departmental inquiry that established charges of misconduct and corruption under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The proceedings against Mehmood began in July 2023, when he was suspended over allegations of inefficiency, misconduct, and corruption. An initial inquiry was deferred pending the outcome of related criminal cases before special courts dealing with customs, taxation, and anti-corruption matters. However, following directives from the Sindh High Court to conclude departmental proceedings, the FBR initiated a fresh inquiry.
A two-member inquiry committee, constituted after the initial report was deemed unsatisfactory, concluded in December 2025 that the charges stood proven. The committee found that the officer possessed assets significantly disproportionate to his known sources of income and failed to provide a credible money trail.
According to the findings, Mehmood, who earned less than Rs150,000 per month, was linked to the acquisition of a residential property in DHA Phase IV, Karachi, registered in his spouse’s name. The property was allegedly financed through loans amounting to tens of millions of rupees from private individuals described as “friends,” raising serious concerns about potential quid pro quo arrangements.
The inquiry further revealed that the officer failed to declare the property in his annual asset declarations, violating the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Authorities noted that his explanations regarding the source of funds were “feeble and unconvincing,” reinforcing suspicions of unaccounted wealth.
After issuing a show-cause notice and conducting a personal hearing in February 2026, the FBR concluded that Mehmood had failed to rebut the charges. The authority subsequently ordered his compulsory retirement with immediate effect. His suspension period since July 2023 will be treated as leave, subject to applicable rules. He retains the right to appeal within 30 days.
In a separate but related case, the FBR also ordered compulsory retirement of Yawar Abbas, an Intelligence Officer (BS-16) at the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigations, Karachi, on similar grounds.
Abbas had been under suspension since July 2023. While an initial inquiry recommended exoneration, the FBR rejected the findings and ordered a de-novo investigation. The subsequent probe found evidence of misconduct and corruption, particularly highlighting the acquisition of a 150-square-yard bungalow in DHA Phase VII, Karachi, allegedly financed through unexplained loans and gifts.
The authority observed that Abbas’s financial profile was inconsistent with his declared income and noted his failure to disclose the property in asset declarations between 2013 and 2022.
Following a show-cause notice and personal hearing, the FBR concluded that the charges were substantiated. Abbas was also retired compulsorily, with his suspension period treated as leave under applicable rules. He may file an appeal within 30 days.
The back-to-back actions underscore the FBR’s intensified efforts to enforce accountability and curb corruption within Pakistan Customs, signaling a tougher stance against officials found accumulating assets beyond their declared means.
