FBR Retires Customs Inspector Over Rs. 2 Million Under-Declaration in Afghan Fruit Import

The Federal Board of Revenue has compulsorily retired a Customs Inspector after an inquiry found gross under-declaration in a fruit consignment imported from Afghanistan, exposing the exchequer to a potential revenue loss of Rs. 2 million. According to a notification issued by the FBR on Tuesday, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Muhammad Ali Pechohu, Inspector Customs BS 16, posted at the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Quetta, under the Civil Servants Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2020, on charges of inefficiency and misconduct. The officer was also placed under suspension during the proceedings. The case relates to GD No. CLS HC 7587, for which the accused officer, acting as Examiner Officer, submitted an examination report declaring 18,000 kilograms of fresh grapes and 5,000 kilograms of plums. However, upon re-examination of the consignment, authorities found that the actual quantity was substantially different. The consignment contained only 2,934 kilograms of grapes, while plums amounted to 20,784 kilograms, a mismatch that attracted higher duties and taxes. The FBR noted that had the consignment not been intercepted en route, the incorrect examination would have resulted in a revenue loss of Rs. 2 million to the government. During the inquiry, the departmental representative stated that the inspector ignored specific instructions from the Superintendent-in-Charge to carry out a thorough examination after proper unloading and segregation of goods. Instead, the examination report was prepared solely on the basis of the declaration submitted in the goods declaration, without adequate physical verification. The accused officer admitted that he relied on the declaration in the GD and did not conduct a proper physical examination, claiming that site conditions made it difficult. He further argued that since the consignment was intercepted and re-examined about 30 kilometers away from the original examination point, the possibility of pilferage or change in quantity could not be ruled out, and requested exoneration. The FBR rejected this explanation, stating that the officer had disregarded clear instructions and that the claim of pilferage or change in such a large quantity over a short distance was baseless and unsupported by any evidence. After considering the findings, the competent authority imposed the major penalty of compulsory retirement on Muhammad Ali Pechohu with immediate effect under Rule 4(3)(c) read with Rule 16(7)(b) of the Civil Servants Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2020.