FBR Probes 9 Customs Officers Named in 400 Kg Silver Theft Case

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has formed a high level inquiry committee to investigate nine Pakistan Customs officers over the alleged theft of seized silver from the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Quetta.

The inquiry was initiated after 400 kilograms of seized silver were allegedly replaced with lead bricks during transportation to the Pakistan Mint in Lahore, in what has emerged as one of the biggest scandals involving Pakistan Customs in recent years.

According to an official order issued by the Revenue Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as the competent authority under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, approved the formation of a three-member committee to conduct disciplinary proceedings against the accused officers.

The inquiry committee will be headed by Ashraf Zubair Siddiqui (PSP/BS 21), Additional Inspector General and Regional Commander North Region of the National Highways and Motorway Police. Other members include Abrar Ahmed Mirza (PAS/BS 21), Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and Ashhad Jawwad (PCS/BS 21), Member Customs Policy at the FBR.

The proceedings concern the alleged theft of confiscated silver recovered during anti smuggling operations in Balochistan while it was under the custody of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Quetta.

Dr. Karam Elahi (PCS/BS 20), the former Collector of Customs Enforcement Quetta, is among the officers facing disciplinary action. He is currently in FIA custody and has already been suspended by the FBR.

Other officials named in the inquiry include former Additional Collector Yousaf Ali Khan Magsi, Deputy Collector Tariq Hussain, Assistant Collector Muhammad Yousaf, Preventive Officers Samiullah, Arif Ali Jumani and Yasir Arafat, Inspector Customs Ali Kamran, and Inspector Muhammad Zaman Mazari.

The inquiry order stated that four officials, including Dr. Karam Elahi, Assistant Collector Muhammad Yousaf, Preventive Officer Samiullah and Preventive Officer Arif Ali Jumani, are currently suspended.

The government has appointed Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand (PCS/BS 21), Director General of the Directorate General of Reforms and Automation Customs, as the Hearing Officer for the disciplinary proceedings. The Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement Islamabad will serve as the Departmental Representative.

The inquiry committee has been directed to complete the proceedings within 60 days unless an extension is granted by the competent authority. After completing the investigation, the committee will submit its findings to the Prime Minister through the competent authority within seven days, clearly stating whether the charges have been proved or not proved and recommending further action.

The case surfaced in April 2026 when a consignment containing 688 kilograms of seized silver, packed in 36 sealed boxes, was transported from the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Quetta to the Pakistan Mint Lahore for testing and official deposit.

The silver had been seized during anti smuggling operations in Balochistan’s Chagai district and was being transported under Customs supervision. However, officials at the Pakistan Mint discovered that around 400 kilograms of silver had allegedly been replaced with lead bricks.

Following the discovery, Pakistan Customs launched an internal investigation. The inquiry found that CCTV footage from Safe City Quetta allegedly showed the vehicle carrying the original silver being swapped during transit with another vehicle carrying lead bricks.

An FIR was registered after the incident, and two Preventive Officers, Arif Ali Jumani and Samiullah Achakzai, were arrested over allegations of involvement in the theft.

The investigation was later expanded to examine the possible involvement or negligence of senior Customs officials responsible for the custody, security and transportation of the seized precious metal. Several officers were suspended as the probe continued.

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