A
case has come to light from Quetta that has raised several important questions
regarding customs operations, accountability and civil rights. A poor driver,
Muhammad Ayaz, has been forced to go around various institutions for the past
almost a year to seek justice and claims that his only source of livelihood has
been illegally snatched away.
According
to Muhammad Ayaz, his vehicle number TKP-071 was the only means of support for
his family. He used to deliver goods through this vehicle and meet his family’s
expenses. However, on July 8, 2025, Customs Enforcement officials stopped his
vehicle and took it into custody.
The
victim driver alleges that a bribe of about Rs 1.5 million was demanded from
him. According to him, when he refused to pay due to financial constraints, the
vehicle and the goods in it were declared smuggled and seized.
Muhammad
Ayaz says that the seized goods were accompanied by all the legal documents,
including Goods Declarations (GDs), Sales Tax Invoices, Bills, Payment Receipts
and other import records. He claims that the Customs officials also admitted
these documents during their investigation.
According
to the victim, while the goods were in the custody of Customs, about 176 bags
mysteriously disappeared, while the diesel in the vehicle was also taken out.
No clear explanation has been revealed yet.
The
matter was later heard in the Customs Appellate Tribunal Lahore. According to
Muhammad Ayaz, the tribunal, after a detailed hearing, declared that the seized
goods were legally imported, all due taxes and duties had been paid and the
Customs officials failed to prove their allegations.
The
tribunal remarked in its verdict that “mere suspicion cannot be a substitute
for evidence” and ordered the unconditional release of the vehicle and the
goods.
However,
Muhammad Ayaz maintains that despite the court order, neither his vehicle was
returned, nor the goods were recovered, nor was any account given for the bags
and other items that allegedly went missing.
According
to the affected driver, as a result of all this, his family faced severe
financial difficulties. The children’s education was affected, it became
difficult to meet household expenses, and his only source of livelihood was cut
off for more than a year.
Muhammad
Ayaz has now approached the FIA special court, demanding criminal proceedings
against the concerned customs officers on charges of corruption, extortion,
misuse of authority, alleged theft of goods in government custody, breach of
trust, and failure to implement court orders.
The
case raises several important questions:
•
If the goods were legally imported, why were they seized?
•
If the court had issued a release order, why could it not be implemented?
•
Where did the 176 bags that allegedly disappeared from government custody go?
•
Who is responsible for removing diesel from the vehicle?
•
When will a poor citizen get justice?
This
case is no longer just a personal struggle of Muhammad Ayaz but has become a
major test of the use of state power, institutional accountability and the rule
of law. It remains to be seen whether the relevant agencies investigate these
allegations impartially or this matter, like many other complaints, remains
buried in the files.
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