QUETTA: A collector of customs has filed a pre-arrest bail application in connection with a criminal case involving the alleged replacement of hundreds of silver bricks during transport from a state warehouse to a government mint, according to court documents obtained Wednesday.
Karam Elahi, who serves as Collector of Customs at Customs House Quetta, is not named as an accused in the first information report but was called to join the investigation as head of the department, the application states. He has since been suspended as an administrative measure.
The case, registered as FIR No. 01-Cus/SWH/HQ/2026 on April 13 at Customs House on Airport Road in Quetta, stems from an incident on April 5 in which approximately 686 silver bricks were allegedly seized. Authorities claim about 400 bars were later found replaced.
The FIR was registered by Yasir Arafat, a preventive officer serving as state inspector at the warehouse.
Elahi, represented by counsel, argues that he played no direct or indirect role in the matter. The application states he was neither the custodian of the seized property, nor in charge of the state warehouse, nor present at any point during loading, transit or delivery.
“The applicant is a senior government officer having an unblemished service record, deep roots in society, and no criminal antecedents,” the application reads.
The filing also contends that the prosecution failed to individually mark, number or tag each seized silver brick, making it impossible to determine which bars belonged to which seizure report or which goods were allegedly replaced.
The application challenges the invocation of specific provisions under the Customs Act of 1969, arguing that clauses related to seizure of foreign-origin goods do not apply to allegations of substitution or misappropriation of already seized property while in departmental custody.
It further notes a delay of eight days between the alleged incident on April 5 and the registration of the FIR on April 13, calling the lapse “without plausible explanation.”
Elahi has undertaken to cooperate fully with investigators and said he is not a flight risk, citing his permanent residence, family ties and established service credentials.
Meanwhile, a separate inquiry has been initiated. Elahi, who also serves as director at the Directorate of Intelligence (Customs) in Peshawar, has been summoned for a personal hearing on May 15 at 5 p.m. at the Customs House headquarters in Quetta.
The applicant has surrendered to the jurisdiction of the court and seeks confirmation of pre-arrest bail to join the investigation process.