The Customs silver bullion swap case escalated on Monday after Pakistan Customs arrested two preventive officers accused of replacing 400 kilogrammes of seized silver bullion with lead during transport from Quetta to Lahore. Authorities said the officers had responsibility for moving the confiscated consignment to the Pakistan Mint.
According to the official statement, the consignment included 688 kilogrammes of confiscated silver packed in 36 sealed boxes and sent via Pakistan International Airlines from Quetta to Lahore.
The alleged fraud came to light when officials opened the consignment at the Pakistan Mint. At that stage, they discovered that 400 kilogrammes of silver were missing, and that lead bricks of the same weight and packaging had been substituted.
That finding immediately raised concerns about a deliberate attempt to tamper with seized valuables during official transport. The case has since drawn attention because it involves both internal misconduct allegations and a high-value confiscated consignment. [Internal link: recent major seizure cases in Pakistan]
Pakistan Customs said CCTV footage from Safe City Quetta confirmed that those involved had deliberately switched the vehicle carrying the original silver. Investigators used that evidence to support the case against the two officers now in custody.
The official statement presents the vehicle switch as a key part of the alleged operation, suggesting that the swap did not occur by chance but was part of a planned change in transit handling.
Following the discovery, authorities registered a first information report and took both officers into custody. Pakistan Customs said legal proceedings are now underway.
The department also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct within its ranks and said it would pursue strict legal action. That response places institutional accountability at the centre of the case. [Internal link: accountability and anti-corruption cases in Pakistan]
The case has gained attention because it combines allegations of fraud, a sensitive government transport chain, and the disappearance of a large quantity of seized bullion. The detail that the lead bricks matched the missing silver in weight and packaging has added to concerns about planning and intent.
