The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a high-level inquiry into nine Pakistan Customs officers. The investigation follows the alleged theft of 400 kilograms of seized silver during transportation from Quetta to Lahore.
Authorities claim unknown individuals replaced the confiscated silver with lead bricks. Consequently, the case has become one of Pakistan Customs’ biggest alleged corruption scandals in recent years.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the inquiry under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. The Revenue Division issued the official order establishing a three-member disciplinary committee.
Ashraf Zubair Siddiqui will head the committee. Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed Mirza and Ashhad Jawwad will serve as its members.
Senior Customs Officials Face Disciplinary Proceedings
The inquiry focuses on silver seized during anti-smuggling operations in Balochistan. Officials allegedly tampered with the consignment while it remained under the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Quetta.
Former Collector Dr. Karam Elahi is among the accused officers. He remains in FIA custody and the FBR has already suspended him.
Other officials under investigation include former Additional Collector Yousaf Ali Khan Magsi and Deputy Collector Tariq Hussain. Assistant Collector Muhammad Yousaf, Preventive Officers Samiullah, Arif Ali Jumani and Yasir Arafat also face proceedings. Furthermore, Inspector Customs Ali Kamran and Inspector Muhammad Zaman Mazari have been named.
The inquiry order confirmed four officials currently remain suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.
Committee Given Sixty Days To Complete Inquiry
The government appointed Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand as the Hearing Officer for the case. Additionally, the Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement Islamabad will represent the department.
The committee must complete its inquiry within 60 days unless authorities approve an extension. Afterwards, it will submit its findings and recommendations to the Prime Minister.
The case emerged in April 2026 after Customs transported 688 kilograms of seized silver to the Pakistan Mint. However, officials allegedly discovered that nearly 400 kilograms had been replaced with lead bricks. CCTV footage reportedly showed the transport vehicle being swapped during transit. Subsequently, investigators registered an FIR and arrested two Preventive Officers as the investigation expanded.
