Written by Hamza Shahnawaz in Taxation Lamia Iqbal was removed from service after the FBR found her prolonged absence without sanctioned leave was established by official records. KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has dismissed a Customs inspector from service after disciplinary proceedings established that she remained absent from duty for an extended period without sanctioned leave. Ms Lamia Iqbal, Inspector Customs (BS-16), Directorate of Transit Trade (Headquarters), Karachi, was awarded the major penalty of dismissal from service under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the officer on allegations of misconduct relating to unauthorised absence from duty. An Order of Inquiry, Charge Sheet and Statement of Allegations were served on her on February 12, 2026. Ms Noor-ul-Huda Mallick, Deputy Collector (PCS/BS-18), was appointed as the Inquiry Officer. In her inquiry report dated April 15, 2026, she established the charge of misconduct and recommended a major penalty of reduction to a lower post and pay scale for two years. FBR Finds Prolonged Absence Established Following the inquiry report, the FBR served a show-cause notice on the officer on May 14, 2026. She submitted her written defence on June 8 and requested a personal hearing. The hearing was subsequently conducted through video link on July 30, 2026, in the presence of the accused officer and the departmental representative. During the proceedings, the departmental representative said the officer had demonstrated a pattern of unauthorised absence and showed limited inclination towards performing her official responsibilities since joining Pakistan Customs in April 2023. The department stated that the officer had applied on September 3, 2025 for 365 days of extraordinary leave (EOL) without pay. However, she remained absent from duty from September 4, 2025 onwards without the leave having been sanctioned. The officer acknowledged during the hearing that she had not attended office since submitting the leave application. She explained that her husband, who was serving as a Preventive Officer in Pakistan Customs, had been…