Pakistan Customs has formally requested the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to set up a joint investigation committee following a serious alleged tampering incident involving a large consignment of seized silver being transported from Quetta to Lahore.

According to officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Customs Enforcement had confiscated 698 kilograms of silver bars in Quetta. The consignment was later dispatched to the Pakistan Mint. However, upon arrival, authorities uncovered a major discrepancy—around 400 kilograms of the silver had allegedly been replaced with lead during transit.

Preliminary findings suggest the shipment was divided into two parts and moved separately toward Quetta International Airport before onward transportation. Investigators suspect that the substitution may have taken place during this movement, potentially involving an organized smuggling network and possible internal collusion by personnel responsible for securing the seized material.

Given the scale and sensitive nature of the case, Customs authorities have sought FIA intervention and proposed the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising representatives from law enforcement agencies, intelligence bodies, and Customs officials to ensure a transparent and coordinated probe.

Several individuals have already been detained in connection with the case, while further criminal proceedings are underway. Authorities are focusing on both recovering the missing silver and identifying all those involved in the alleged operation.

The office of the Chief Collector Customs Enforcement, Islamabad, has been assigned as the central coordination point for inter-agency investigations.