ISLAMABAD: An internal rift has surfaced within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), involving the Export Collectorate and the Customs Enforcement Division, following the attempted illegal export of 14 metric tons (MT) of donkey hides—a prohibited item under Pakistan’s export regulations.
According to official records available with Newzshewz Goods Declaration (GD) No. KPEX-SB-188720 was filed on April 28, 2025, by M/s Wow Trading (NTN-9979285) through their clearing agent M/s Fair Trade Impex. The consignment, listed as “leather goods” and packed in container No. SEGU3154225, was destined for China.
Initially cleared under the Green Channel, the container was marked for examination by Deputy Collector Dr. Jam Muhammad Imran on April 29, 2025, at 1:18 PM. Shortly thereafter, at 1:54 PM, the consignment was held by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).
Upon examination, 14 MT of donkey hides—a banned export item per the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decision dated September 3, 2015, communicated by the Ministry of National Food Security & Research—were recovered.
After the ANF’s intervention, the consignment was to be examined by the export staff of the Collectorate of Customs (CoC) Exports in Karachi. However, it came to the attention of the Deputy Collectorate that the Port Control Unit (PCU) of CoC Enforcement had already applied a hold on the container earlier that same day at 3:01 AM.
Based on this, Deputy Collector Imran assumed the standard operating procedures outlined in CGO No. 03 of 2018 would be followed. However, terminal officials later informed him that DC PCU Enforcement, Ms. Rabel Khokhar, was repeatedly pressuring them via phone calls to hand over custody of the container and remove it from port premises.
The Deputy Collector reportedly warned the terminal that such removal would be illegal, as the examination was in process and examination code (ER) had already been communicated through EDI.
The Deputy Collector has alleged that the PCU, under DC Khokhar, violated CGO No. 03/2018, particularly clauses 4(e), 4(f), and 4(g), which mandate a joint examination, legal action by the respective Collectorate, and submission of the final report to the relevant authority.
He further argued that donkey hides do not fall under the PCU’s jurisdiction, which is limited to high-risk consignments suspected of containing narcotics, explosives, strategic goods, endangered species (CITES), or other contraband materials as outlined in clause 1(b) of the CGO.
Dr. Imran claims that Ms. Khokhar’s actions reflect a pattern of overreach and violation of FBR’s protocols. He stated that the container was removed from port premises without joint examination, and the CoC Enforcement’s report, submitted on May 2, 2025, to Member Customs (Operations), falsely cited Section 2(s) of the Customs Act—despite the fact that no duties or taxes were applicable at the export stage and the consignment was declared at a customs station under Sections 9 and 10.
A list of GDs—reportedly obtained from PRAL—where Ms. Khokhar allegedly applied unlawful holds on exports outside her jurisdiction, has been shared with the FBR Chairman. These instances are cited as evidence of her alleged “misuse of authority,” misconduct, and potential corrupt practices.
Deputy Collector Imran has formally requested that FBR high-ups take notice of the unauthorized removal of the container and initiate action under clause 10(b) of CGO No. 03/2018.
“It is my duty as an officer to protect the jurisdiction of my post. Such high-handedness will only lead to serious anomalies and further friction between Collectorates,” he stated, adding that the GD in question now remains permanently stuck in the Examining Officer’s folder. Ends
