ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a major penalty on a tax official of Regional Tax Office (RTO), Lahore for deleting CCTV footage of stealing of 20 cartons of cigarettes from the premises of the office, said a notification issued here on Monday.
According to the notification, the disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Khalid Mahmood, posted as MIS officer at Corporate Tax Office, Lahore on the charges of “Inefficiency” and “Misconduct”.
The Departmental Representative (DR) informed that the accused officer, along with two Sepoys, was involved in removal of 20 cartons of cigarettes and he being the sole individual with access to the CCTV system, was also responsible for deletion of the footage from the backyard of the premises. The accused officer stated that he was officially posted in Director office/ Motor Transport office for maintenance of vehicles and updation of data on Iris-LMS and he has no knowledge of missing cartons of cigarettes. However, being a closed holiday, he had attended office on the verbal directions of Deputy Director for disbursement of labour charges to the labourers, when two trucks were found within the premises and left office at 3:00 pm being Ramazan days. He neither has any knowledge about misplacement of cigarettes nor does he have any responsibility for maintenance of CCTV system. Therefore, he requested to exonerate him from the charges.
The Member (Admin) being competent authority, in instant case imposed major penalty of, “Reduction from a lower Post and Pay Scale i.e. Data Entry Operator (BS-14) for a period of two years”, upon Khalid Mahmood, MIS Officer (BS-16), Corporate Tax Office, Lahore under Rule 4(3Xb) read with Rule 16(7)(b) of Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
After examining relevant record, inquiry report, written and verbal submissions made by the DR and accused officer, it has been observed that Khalid Mahmood, MIS Officer being Incharge having access to the CCTV system (including the cameras and DVR) was entrusted with serious responsibility which he has failed to fulfil as evident by deletion of CCTV footage of the premises from where 20 cartons of cigarettes were stolen. Being Incharge of MIS related functions, he failed to ensure maintenance, reporting or taking corrective measures to keep CCTV cameras in proper working condition and to ensure safety of CCTV footage.
While acquitting him from the criminal proceedings, the Hon’ble District Court Lahore had also made it clear that the department would be at liberty to proceed against the accused persons as per law. Keeping in view the greater level of his inefficiency/negligence, minor penalty recommended by the Inquiry Officer is not considered appropriate and he deserves a major penalty commensurating with the gravity of offenses committed by him.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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