By Our Correspondent
LAHORE– In a strong display of internal accountability, Collector Customs Enforcement Lahore Muhammad Saeed Wattoo has dismissed two officials, Shahryar s/o Asghar and Atif Khan Afridi s/o Musharaf Khan Afridi, both Sepoys (BS-05) , on charges of misconduct, corruption, theft of seized goods, and criminal negligence leading to loss of life.
According to official orders issued under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against both officers following their suspension on September 15, 2025. The officials were accused of committing multiple criminal acts, including stealing seized goods from the State Warehouse, using an official vehicle unlawfully at night, and attempting to sell the stolen goods in the open market.
The inquiry revealed that the accused drove an unfit official vehicle with non-functional headlights, endangering public safety. During the incident, they ran over an innocent pedestrian, Zulfiqar Ali s/o Karamat Ali, causing his death, and later fabricated a cover-up story claiming the deceased had been hit by an unknown vehicle.
Despite being given a chance to defend themselves, both officials failed to submit a written reply and only pleaded for leniency during personal hearings. The Departmental Representatives, including Superintendent Naeem Abdullah Bhatti and Inspectors Arsalan Ali and Shafqat Shakeel Nasir, corroborated the charges with prior statements and evidence.
After examining the record, Collector Muhammad Saeed Wattoo concluded that the charges of “Misconduct” and “Corruption” stood fully established. As both officials were still on probation and not yet regularized, their retention in service was deemed “not in public interest and fraught with danger of further loss.”
Consequently, major penalties of dismissal from service have been imposed on both officers under Rule 4(3)(e) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The orders emphasize that the Collectorate of Enforcement Lahore maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and criminal negligence, with the Collector reaffirming that accountability within the department remains at its peak to uphold integrity, transparency, and public trust.
Both dismissed officials retain the right to appeal under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977 within 30 days of the communication of the orders.
