The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed the major penalty of compulsory retirement on Muhammad Ali Pechohu, an Inspector of Customs posted at the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement in Quetta, after his failure to properly examine and declare an import consignment resulted in a significant loss of government revenue. The action follows the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings initiated under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
According to details reported by Business Recorder, the case revolves around the under-declaration of a fruit consignment imported from Afghanistan. The goods were declared as containing 18,000 kilograms of grapes and 5,000 kilograms of plums. However, upon re-examination by customs authorities, the actual quantities were found to be substantially different, with grapes weighing 2,934 kilograms and plums amounting to 20,784 kilograms. This discrepancy led to a potential revenue loss estimated at approximately Rs2 million.
FBR officials stated that the inspector was explicitly instructed to carry out a thorough physical examination of the consignment before finalising the assessment. Despite these directions, Pechohu submitted his examination report solely on the basis of the goods declaration provided by the importer, without conducting a physical inspection of the shipment. This lapse formed the core of the charges brought against him, which included inefficiency and misconduct under the applicable disciplinary rules.
Following the discovery of the discrepancy, the officer was placed under suspension while formal proceedings were initiated. During the inquiry, Pechohu admitted that he had submitted the examination report in good faith. He explained that he did not physically inspect the goods due to what he described as site limitations at the examination point. However, the inquiry authorities found this explanation insufficient, particularly in light of the clear instructions that had been issued for a comprehensive examination.
The inspector further argued that the mismatch in declared and actual quantities could have occurred due to pilferage during transit, claiming that the goods may have been tampered with around 30 kilometres away from the initial examination site. This claim was examined during the proceedings but ultimately rejected, as the officer failed to provide any documentary or material evidence to support the assertion of pilferage or loss during transit.
FBR officials noted that customs officers are entrusted with safeguarding government revenue and are expected to adhere strictly to examination protocols, especially in cases involving perishable goods and cross-border trade. The inquiry concluded that reliance solely on the goods declaration, without physical verification, constituted a serious breach of duty and directly contributed to the revenue shortfall.
Based on the findings of inefficiency and misconduct, the competent authority approved the imposition of the major penalty of compulsory retirement under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020. This penalty effectively ends the officer’s service prior to the normal age of retirement and serves as a disciplinary measure aimed at reinforcing accountability within the customs administration.
The decision reflects FBR’s broader efforts to tighten enforcement, improve compliance, and reduce revenue leakages at ports and border points. In recent years, the tax authority has repeatedly emphasized the need for stricter internal controls, enhanced monitoring of customs examinations, and greater individual responsibility among officers handling sensitive revenue-related functions.
The case also highlights ongoing challenges faced by customs operations in border regions, including infrastructure constraints and the complexities of monitoring transit trade. Nevertheless, FBR officials have reiterated that such challenges do not absolve officers of their legal and professional obligations, particularly when explicit instructions are issued.
By taking decisive action in this case, the FBR aims to send a clear signal that negligence and procedural lapses resulting in revenue loss will not be tolerated, reinforcing the importance of diligence, transparency, and adherence to established customs procedures across the system.
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