Islamabad (By Ehsan Bukhari ):
A major revelation has surfaced regarding the Islamabad Customs Department, where the same auction company has allegedly been awarded auction contracts for the past 20 years under the patronage of an internal mafia.
According to sources, Alvi Auctioneer has monopolized customs auctions for two decades, allegedly favoring select individuals during the bidding process. These insiders reportedly receive high-value seized goods at preferential rates, while new business entrants are either sidelined or offered overpriced or substandard items.
Sources further claim that Islamabad Customs’ Anti-Smuggling Squad seizes smuggled foreign goods worth millions of rupees every month. However, only a few trusted bidders—allegedly including Afghan groups and influential businessmen—are repeatedly awarded these goods at auctions through pre-arranged deals with Alvi Auctioneer.
Insiders also allege that certain customs officials are complicit in this long-running operation. Despite numerous opportunities, only one auctioneer has been consistently hired for 20 years, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the department.
If a detailed review of the past two decades of auction records were conducted, major irregularities are expected to be uncovered.
When contacted, Collector Customs Islamabad, Rizwan Salabat, acknowledged the issue. “We are working towards digitizing the auction process to enhance transparency,” he said. “I will also look into why a single auctioneer has been operating for such a long period.”
