ISLAMABAD
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad has arrested a Pakistan Customs superintendent and two inspectors for allegedly demanding Rs2.5 million in bribe from a complainant in return for undue favour in a pending customs criminal case.
An FIA official told media on Friday that the suspects allegedly acted in connivance to harass and threaten the complainant, initially demanding Rs5 million, which was later negotiated down to Rs2.5 million. They allegedly threatened to implicate the complainant’s family members and associates in the case if the demand was not met.
Following approval from the competent authority and completion of legal formalities, the FIA conducted a trap raid at MYST Café in Sector I-8, Islamabad, under the supervision of a judicial magistrate.
During the raid, a Customs inspector was allegedly caught red-handed while receiving Rs500,000 as the first instalment of the demanded bribe in the presence of the judicial magistrate. The marked currency was recovered from his possession, while his mobile phone was also seized for examination.
The official said preliminary forensic examination of the mobile phone revealed voice chats allegedly pointing to a conspiracy to extort money from the complainant and harass his family. A case, FIR No. 39/2026, has been registered against the suspects under Sections 161 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
The arrested inspector was produced before a court, which granted the FIA his five-day physical remand. On information provided by him during the investigation, the FIA subsequently arrested the Customs superintendent and another inspector allegedly involved in the case.
The official said the FIA maintained a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and would continue taking strict legal action without discrimination against public officials involved in bribery and misuse of authority. Further investigation is underway.
