FBR censures customs inspector over liquor consignment listed as destroyed, notification shows

The Federal Board of Revenue has imposed a minor penalty of “censure” on Manzoor Hussain, Inspector Customs (TS/BS-17) posted at the Collectorate of Customs Airports, Islamabad, after disciplinary proceedings found negligence linked to a detained liquor consignment that was included in a destruction list despite the detention order having been set aside.

According to the notification referenced in the report, proceedings were initiated under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020 on charges of “inefficiency and misconduct” under Rule 2(1)(h) & (k) and Rule 3(a) & (b). A direct show-cause notice dated January 23, 2026 was issued under Rule 6 read with Rule 7, seeking a written defence within 10 days; the officer did not submit a reply and was then called for a personal hearing on February 4, 2026.

At the February 4 hearing, Syeda Sadaf Ali Shah, Deputy Collector, appeared as the departmental representative. She told the hearing authority that, in compliance with findings of the Federal Tax Ombudsman, a fact-finding inquiry was carried out by Naveed-ur-Rehman Bugvi, Additional Collector of Customs (PCS/BS-19), which concluded that the officer—described as in-charge of the State Warehouse—was negligent for including the liquor consignment in goods shown as destroyed on March 6, 2024.

The report says the detention order for the consignment had already been set aside by the Collector of Customs (Appeals), Islamabad on January 17, 2023, while the collectorate’s appeal was pending before the Customs Appellate Tribunal, which was later dismissed on January 25, 2025. The officer told the hearing that destruction was carried out on the Destruction Committee’s recommendations and that no intimation of the sub-judice status had been provided to him, which he said was on record.

The authority—identified in the report as Member (Admn/HR)—held that negligence was established but observed there was no mala fide intention, as no intimation about the sub-judice case was given to the collectorate or the warehouse in-charge before destruction. The authority nonetheless said the officer should have ensured clearance from all angles before listing items for destruction, and imposed the minor penalty of “censure” under Rule 4(2)(a) read with Rule 7(f), citing the officer’s forthcoming retirement.

The notification states the officer may appeal under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977 within 30 days of communication of the order.