Customs Official Suspended for Using Influence for Choice Posting

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood has suspended a BS-18 customs official for extraneous influence on FBR for “choice posting”. According to a notification issued by the FBR on Monday, on account of violation of the directions of the Chairman, FBR / Secretary Revenue Division issued vide circular dated August 20, 2024, regarding extraneous influence for “choice posting”, the Competent Authority, in the exercise of powers conferred under Rule 5(1) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020, has placed Jawad-ul-Hassan, PCS/BS-18, presently posted as Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Dera Ismail Khan under suspension with immediate effect for a period of 120 days, it added. Through another notification, the FBR has transferred a Customs Intelligence officer from the “Admin Pool” to the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence Islamabad. Earlier, FBR with the approval of Chairman FBR circulated a letter to all departments exerting pressure for “choice postings” by the officers/ officials of FBR, particularly, those seeking field assignments. Such sub-culture is eating at the very roots of the integrity of the organization, the chairman said in the letter. Moreover, mid-level officers seeking choice postings through their influence/ network are creating a poor model of career choices for junior officers. Use of extraneous influence constitutes “misconduct” under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.