ISLAMABAD: The alleged dispute between two senior female officers
of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Customs at Islamabad
International Airport has taken a new turn, with sources claiming that the
matter has escalated to the point of filing cases and threats of action against
government officials.
According to sources, there had been a long-standing dispute
between FIA Immigration Wing Deputy Director Hina and Customs Assistant
Commissioner Farwa Batool over the scope of authority and operational matters.
The dispute escalated when FIA officials stopped a passenger at the immigration
counter and reviewed his travel record.
Sources say that due to the frequent foreign trips on the
passport of the said passenger, a detailed check of his luggage was carried
out, during which cigarettes and other items were allegedly found exceeding the
prescribed limit. It is said that the goods were cleared earlier by customs
official Mian Kaleem.
According to reports, the FIA demanded that the customs
authorities take the passenger into custody and take legal action; however, the
customs took the position that the shift had changed and it was not possible to
take action again after the goods were cleared. Sources claim that after this
situation, tension increased between the FIA and the customs authorities.
It is further reported that later a case was registered
through the Anti-Corruption Wing in which some customs officials were also
named. According to sources, an FIA officer demanded that the concerned customs
official be summoned and warned of action against the entire shift in case of
non-cooperation.
Sources claim that due to this situation, one shift of
customs has not been on duty for the last three days, while questions are also
being raised about the surveillance system in the departure section of the
airport due to the non-deployment of replacement staff. According to critics,
this situation may have a negative impact on the system for preventing
smuggling.
On the other hand, sources also say that Customs official
Mian Kaleem is considered a close associate of Assistant Commissioner Farwa
Batool. It has also been claimed that a few days ago, a case related to gold
refund was also discussed against him, but no official confirmation or position
has been made in this regard.
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