ISLAMABAD - An incident of corruption took place on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, when a Pakistani airport official was caught taking a bribe from a British passenger.
The Customs official worked at Islamabad International Airport. He allowed the passenger to carry 41 cigarette packets which had been seized in exchange for a payment link .
"We were stopped with cigarettes and were told to pay money"
Action was taken by undercover officials when the Customs official received Rs. 15,000 (£76) as a bribe. The official was subsequently arrested.
The passenger had been set to depart for Manchester on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight number PK-701.
It was reported that Muhammad Hussain had entered the airport with 41 packets of cigarettes.
Airport Security Force (ASF) checked his bags and found the cigarettes. They were confiscated while Mr Hussain was handed over to Customs official Ashraf.
However, during the boarding process, Mr Hussain went into the bathroom.
At that point, Ashraf followed him and said he would allow him to board the plane with the cigarettes if he paid him Rs. 15,000.
Mr Hussain handed over the money but an undercover officer caught Ashraf taking the bribe.
Ashraf was arrested while security officials returned the money to Mr Hussain, who later thanked the staff in a written note.