Senate panel orders FBR to identify officials behind disappearance of seized Customs goods

The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to identify and take action against officials responsible for the disappearance of confiscated goods from Customs warehouses, warning that the matter will be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) if accountability is not ensured.

Senator Dilawar Khan alleged that confiscated goods worth Rs300 million had been moved from a government warehouse to a private facility and claimed that officials responsible for guarding the warehouse were involved in the transfer.

FBR's Fact-Finding Committee informed the parliamentary panel that the seized goods had been shifted due to a shortage of storage space. 

However, committee members rejected the explanation, calling the transfer from a government warehouse to a private facility a pre-planned conspiracy. They noted that all confiscated goods had originally been stored at a single government warehouse.

FIA officials told the committee that notices had been issued to officers from the Commissioner to the Inspector level and presented the names of officials currently under investigation.

Senator Abro said Parliament had the constitutional authority to investigate cases involving corruption and misuse of public assets, adding that no institution or official was above the law.

The committee reiterated its directive for the FBR to identify all officials responsible for the disappearance of confiscated goods and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, institutional accountability, stronger border controls and protection of the national exchequer. 

It also warned that if the required information is not provided, the matter will be raised on the floor of the Senate.