Customs Inspector suspended for demanding bribe from passenger

Lahore: A customs inspector has been suspended for allegedly demanding a bribe from a passenger at Lahore Airport on Tuesday.  

The decision was made in response to a widely circulated social media video showing a customs officer at the Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport blatantly demanding a payment from a passenger traveling to Canada.

Imran Elahi, the inspector, can be seen and heard in the viral video requesting a bribe from the passenger. The passenger secretly videotaped the incident.

Customs regulation prohibits travelers from carrying more than $9,500 out of the country, and the customs officer can be heard warning the man in the video from the counter that they will seize all of his money if they find out he is taking more cash with him.

The deputy customs collector took action when the video quickly went viral and instructed the officer to report to the headquarters.

A 120-day suspension has been imposed on the customs inspector who holds the position of BS-17

The suspension order was issued in accordance with the Efficiency & Discipline Rules 2020, according to a formal announcement made public by the FBR.

Raja Bilal, Deputy Collector of Customs, launched an investigation into the matter at the request of Collector Mehreen Naseem.