ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has compulsorily retired an Inspector of Customs, who grossly under-declared a consignment of fruit (grapes/ plumps) from Afghanistan to cause revenue loss of Rs 2 million.
According to a notification issued by the FBR on Tuesday, the disciplinary proceedings were initiated under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline Rules), 2020 against Muhammad All Pechohu, Inspector Customs (under suspension), Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Quetta, on the charges of “Inefficiency & Misconduct” and he was also placed under suspension.
Being an Examiner Officer, the accused officer submitted an examination report in respect of GD No. CLS-HC-7587 declaring 18,000kgs of fresh grapes and 5,000kgs of plums. However, on re-examination of the consignment, actual quantity of both items was found significantly different; i.e., 2,934kgs of fresh grapes and 20,784kgs of plums, attracting higher duty and taxes. Had this consignment not been intercepted en-route, this grave negligence of accused officer would have resulted in loss to the government exchequer to the tune of Rs.2 Million.
The departmental representative (DR) further confirmed that despite specific instructions of the Superintendent Incharge to conduct thorough examination after unloading and segregation of goods, the accused officer merely submitted examination report as per declaration contained in the GD without proper physical examination. The accused officer admitted that he had submitted the examination report in good faith as per declaration in the GD without proper physical examination, as it was not possible on the site. The accused also claimed that the consignment was intercepted and re-examined 30Km away from the place of its initial examination; hence, the element of its pilferage or change in its quantity cannot be ruled out. He; therefore, prayed to exonerate him from the charges.
“The accused officer even ignored the specific instructions of his Officer Incharge to examine the GD in question after proper unloading and segregation. Moreover, his claim of the pilferage/ change of such huge quantity just 30Km away; i.e., point of interception is without any basis and unsubstantiated by any evidence,” FBR said.
Therefore, the Authority has decided to impose Major Penalty of “Compulsory Retirement” upon Muhammad Ali Pechohu, Inspector Customs (BS-16) with immediate effect under Rule 4(3) (c) read with Rule 16(7) (b) of Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
