KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has ordered a high-level fact-finding inquiry into the alleged theft and replacement of approximately 400 kilograms of seized silver bars with lead bars at a customs warehouse in Quetta.
The Office of the Chief Collector of Customs in Islamabad issued an official order on April 15, citing serious allegations that seized silver—intended to be moved to the Pakistan Mint—was swapped with worthless lead.
In response, authorities have formed a three-member inquiry committee, tasking it with submitting a factual report within five working days.
The committee includes Ms. Ayesha Wani, known for her upright record; Mr. Amjad Rajper, respected for his transparent approach; and Mr. Faizan Badar, an expert in anti-corruption investigations.
Their appointment signals the government’s intent to ensure an impartial inquiry.
The committee will look into how the silver was replaced, examine any negligence or collusion, and fix responsibility. This move comes after a major customs scandal in which two preventive officers were arrested for allegedly stealing 400 kilograms of silver and replacing it with fake lead bars during a transfer to the Pakistan Mint in Lahore.
The accused, Arif Ali Jumani and Samiullah Achakzai, were taken into custody following an investigation triggered by the Pakistan Mint’s revelation that a large part of the consignment was counterfeit.
According to the First Information Report filed on April 13, the two officers were assigned to transport 698 kg of silver from the State Warehouse in Quetta to the Pakistan Mint.
The silver was packed in sealed boxes and flown from Quetta to Lahore. But when mint officials unpacked and tested the bars, they found that 400 kg were not silver but lead.
A special investigation team reviewed CCTV footage, which revealed the alleged swap in real time. The footage showed that one of the accused’s vehicles stopped at an undesignated spot where an identical vehicle with the same license plate was already parked, allegedly loaded with fake silver bullions.
Investigators believe the genuine silver was offloaded and stolen at that spot, while the lead-filled fakes were sent to Lahore.
The accused have been booked under several laws including theft and cheating. Both officers are currently in custody, and officials have not ruled out more arrests.
A senior customs official called it a meticulously planned heist, adding that the use of a cloned vehicle suggests insider coordination well beyond these two officers.