‘Inefficiency and misconduct’ charges: FBR imposes penalty on officer

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a penalty on Inspector Customs (TS/BS-17), Collectorate of Customs Airports, Islamabad, for inclusion of a detained consignment of liquor in the list of goods destroyed even though the detention order of the consignment had already been set aside by the court.

According to a notification issued by the FBR, disciplinary proceedings under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020 were initiated against Manzoor Hussain, Inspector Customs (TS/BS-17), Collectorate of Customs Airports, Islamabad on the charges of “Inefficiency & Misconduct” under Rule 2(1)(h)&(k) and Rule 3(a) & (b) of the Rules ibid. Accordingly, a direct show cause notice dated 23.01.2026 was issued to the accused under Rule 6 read with Rule 7 of the rules ibid asking him to submit his reply in written defense within 10 days. However, the accused did not submit reply to the show cause notice, therefore, he was called for personal hearing on 04.02.2026.

The accused officer was heard in person on 04.02.2026. Syeda Sadaf Ali Shah, Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs Airports, Islamabad also appeared in person as Departmental Representative (DR) along with relevant record. The DR informed that in compliance to the findings of Federal Tax Ombudsman, a fact-finding inquiry was conducted by Naveed-ur-Rehman Bugvi, Additional Collector of Customs (PCS/13S-19), wherein the negligence of accused officer, being Incharge of State Warehouse, was established for inclusion of a detained consignment of liquor in the list of goods destroyed on 06.03.2024, despite the fact that the detention order of the consignment had already been set aside by the Collector of Customs (Appeals) Islamabad on 17.01.2023 and the Collectorate’s appeal against the said order was sub-judice before the Customs Appellate Tribunal at that time, which was ultimately dismissed on 25.01.2025.

The accused officer informed that the goods (including the consignment in question) were destroyed on the recommendations of Destruction Committee and no intimation of sub-judice matter was ever given to him, which is on record.

The accused officer informed that the goods (including the consignment in question) were destroyed on the recommendations of Destruction Committee and no intimation of sub-judice matter was ever given to him, which is on record.

The Member (Admn/HR) being the Authority after examining the fact finding inquiry report, show cause notice and verbal submissions made during personal hearing, observed that the negligence of accused stood established in the fact finding inquiry. However, there was no mala-fide intention on his part, as no intimation about sub-judice case of liquor consignment was given to the Collectorate of Customs Airports, Islamabad or Incharge State Warehouse till destruction of the goods. However, as a precautionary measure, the accused, being In charge of the State Warehouse, had to be more vigilant and ensure clearance of all goods from every aspect before inclusion in the destruction list and placing the same before Destruction Committee.

Hence, he deserved a minor penalty with least implications in view of his forthcoming retirement from service, therefore, the Authority has decided to impose minor penalty of “Censure” upon Manzoor Hussain, Inspector Customs under Rule 4(2)(a) read with Rule 7(f) of the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.

He will have a right to appeal against this Order to the Appellate Authority under Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977 within a period of 30 communication of this notification, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026