KARACHI: Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation Quetta has lodged an FIR against Hamid Habib, an Intelligence Officer of BS-16 for alleged inefficiency and misconduct, which the Customs officials term victimization as Hamid Habib had approached higher authorities and court complaining against the rampant corruption at the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence & Investigation under the patronage of Director General Shaukat Ali.
Habib was arrested in Pindi on the directives of Shaukat Ali. The FIR was lodged on the directives of Shaukat Ali.
According to the FIR, Habib while posted as custodian of the State Warehouse, Quetta, did not handover the goods lying in the rooms of the warehouse, which were locked and keys of those rooms remained in his custody for five months even after he was transferred from Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Quetta to FIU Intelligence & Investigations-Customs, D.I Khan.
Later, Directorate General Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Islamabad constituted a team for stock taking of goods and vehicles lying in the warehouse. The de-locking of above mentioned rooms and inventory prepared reflected that there was a substantial discrepancy in the quantity of goods and reasonable number of goods worth millions got expired due to non-disposal. There was also shortage of several items.
The FIR establishes that Hamid Habib in connivance with others misappropriated the government property while negligence resulted in expiry of certain goods.
It may be mentioned here that earlier Syed Amir Shabbir, a Customs I&I official, was subjected to departmental victimization and was transferred in violation of rules and laws.
There are a number of irregularities and violations of rules, laws prevalent at the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, wherein evasion of government’s legitimate revenue is patronized and officials raising voice against the state of affairs are victimized.
Hamid Habib was earlier suspended and then relieved of duty as he had raised voice against the wrong doings at Customs Intelligence & Investigation. Despite of Habib’s requests for the handing-over and taking over of the state warehouse, the handing over was not undertaken and now an FIR has been lodged against him.
There is a consistent pattern of shuffling officials in the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and officials with questionable reputation are posted at sensitive posts, all this on the directives of the top Customs Intelligence officer.
Shaukat Ali is said to be allegedly patronizing certain unscrupulous elements and he has been victimizing officers and officials for performing their duties to the letter. Making transfers and postings is the primary tool of Director General Shaukat Ali for pressurizing and harassing staff of Customs Intelligence & Investigation. Even BS-16 officers are transferred to other provinces.
Sources said large scale corruption at Directorate General of Customs Intelligence & Investigation had been duly noted and NAB as well as FIA had completed their homework in this regard. Sources said nose was tightening against the top officer of the Directorate General.
After acquiring transit remand, Hamid Habib is moved to Quetta.