14/08/2026
Pakistani authorities have reportedly arrested senior Pakistan Customs officer Dr Karam Elahi on alleged corruption charges after he took strict action against a powerful smuggling network in Balochistan.
Elahi, who served as Collector of Customs Balochistan, reportedly blacklisted a company allegedly linked to influential smugglers and launched measures to curb illegal trade in the province.
His supporters and relatives claim that he was initially abducted from Murree and later shown as arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Peshawar. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Elahi is widely regarded by his supporters as one of Pakistan Customsβ most honest officers. Despite serving as a Grade-20 officer, they say he continues to live in a rented house and does not own a car, while some junior customs officers have accumulated significant wealth.
His relatives further allege that authorities are pressuring and harassing his family members to force him into a compromise. They claim Elahi is prepared to disclose information about influential individuals allegedly involved in large-scale smuggling in Balochistan.
The allegations against Elahi and the claims concerning his alleged abduction, detention and family harassment require independent investigation and responses from the relevant Pakistani authorities.
His friends say a high-level inquiry committee comprising senior Supreme Court judges should be constituted to conduct a fair and impartial investigation, as they believe civil officers may not be able to conduct an independent inquiry due to the alleged involvement of influential smugglers.