Pakistan Customs foiled on Saturday an attempt to game the Faceless Customs Assessment System (FCAS), a newly launched system for speedy and quality assessments.

“Such an attempt was quite expected and the Karachi Customs team, tasked with its operations, was directed by FBR to exercise constant vigilance in this regard,” a press release said.

Those who attempted to game the FCAS have been taken to task, it said and added that customs licences of 45 agents found involved in the gaming attempt have been suspended by Karachi Customs and show cause notices have been issued in the light of Customs Agents Rules.

An appraising officer “found to connive” in the attempt was placed under suspension by FBR on Friday and formal inquiry has been initiated against him under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules.

Moreover, a criminal case has also been lodged against the culprits including agents, appraising officer, and some private persons who were found involved in the attempt of gaming the FCAS.

“A team of investigators has been constituted and three persons have already been arrested. Raids are being conducted to arrest the remaining culprits and bring them to justice.”

The FBR assured that the FCAS was “working smoothly” with no backlog of Customs clearances.