Official accuses customs DG of corruption after dismissal

ISLAMABAD: Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation in Peshawar has dismissed sepoy Aamir Shabbir who was posted at Field Investigation Unit (FIU), Mardan for being absent from his place of duty, following which he has spoken out about the corruption of Customs Intelligence Director General Shaukat Ali.

Sources told Pakistan Today that the directorate had issued a show-cause notice last month to Shabbir over his absence from the office upon which he requested a 15 day leave on medical grounds. However, the directorate, without affording him an opportunity of hearing, dismissed him from service.

It is pertinent to mention here that Aamir Shabbir has approached the chief justice of Pakistan, FBR chairman, federal tax ombudsman and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) through letters seeking legal action against incumbent Customs Intelligence & Investigation Director-General Shaukat Ali.

Reportedly, Shabbir has also presented evidence proving corruption and misconduct of Shaukat Ali.

The letter said that Shaukat Ali, a BS-21 officer, has politically patronage sweeps bribe money from smugglers across the country. It was also alleged that Shaukat holds a business visa to conduct business in Dubai despite being a civil servant in Pakistan.

“He makes frequent foreign visits to shift huge corruption money to foreign destinations,” the letter said.

Aamir Shabbir alleged that Shaukat Ali has hired a retired customs sepoy to collect bribe money and to keep its accounts.

It is worth mentioning here that another Customs Intelligence & Investigation official Hamid Habib, who had spoken against the wrongdoings at the directorate, was victimised and suspended from service.