FBR Faces Criticism Over Sudden Posting of Senior Customs Officer Wajid Ali

Karachi : Former Chairman of the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) and Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Muhammad Arshad Jamal, has strongly criticized the recent transfer of senior Pakistan Customs officer Wajid Ali, terming it unfair and premature, and urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to reinstate him as Member (Customs Operations). He stated that Wajid Ali has rendered long and distinguished service in Pakistan Customs, holding several key positions where he consistently delivered outstanding results, and had recently been appointed as Member (Customs Operations) after successfully serving as Member (Customs Policy). However, reassigning him within just a week to the position of Chief Collector is unnecessary, unjust, and contrary to the principles of merit and performance. Arshad Jamal emphasized that Wajid Ali’s leadership, integrity, and in-depth knowledge of customs operations make him the most suitable officer for this crucial post, adding that the business and service sector community unanimously demands his immediate reinstatement as Member (Customs Operations) in order to ensure trade facilitation, strengthen revenue stability, and enhance the credibility of FBR, otherwise such arbitrary decisions would create uncertainty within the department and adversely affect the performance of officers.