MULTAN: A major controversy has erupted at Multan International Airport after allegations surfaced regarding a “fake” auction of seized cigarette consignments worth millions of rupees, raising serious questions about transparency within the Customs Department.
According to sources, large quantities of assorted cigarette brands confiscated from international passengers were allegedly auctioned under questionable circumstances, with several dealers claiming they were deliberately excluded from the bidding process. Traders accused customs officials of conducting the auction before the officially announced time and favoring selected parties.
Affected dealers staged a protest, alleging that influential groups from Lahore were given undue advantage while local bidders were ignored. They claimed the auction process lacked transparency and that the outcome had allegedly been decided before the formal proceedings even began.
Sources further revealed that the seized consignments included thousands of cigarette cartons listed under multiple seizure cases, making the total value of the goods run into millions of rupees. Protesters alleged that the special auction was carried out in haste, depriving genuine participants of a fair opportunity to compete.
The protesting traders have demanded immediate intervention from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and senior customs authorities. They called for an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities and urged authorities to cancel the disputed auction if violations are proven.
The controversy has sparked concern among business circles in South Punjab, with traders warning that such alleged practices could damage confidence in official auction procedures and create an uneven playing field for legitimate businesses.
Despite the growing uproar, customs officials have yet to issue an official response to the allegations.