Over the past two years, the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) function of Pakistan Customs has emerged as a leading enforcement arm—delivering unprecedented results in revenue recovery, fraud detection, anti-money laundering and policy reform. Once a relatively under-recognized component of the customs machinery, PCA gained national prominence through its data-driven operations and landmark enforcement actions across its regional directorates.
At the heart of this transformation stands Dr. Zulfikar Ali Chaudhary, who served as Director General PCA during this period. As he prepares to retire on August 4, 2025, after 33 years of distinguished service in Pakistan Customs, Dr. Chaudhary leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements, institutional strengthening, and a renewed focus on data-driven enforcement.
During the last two financial years, PCA formations collectively detected duty / tax evasion cases worth Rs. 60.5 billion and secured recoveries of over Rs. 6.7 billion—a record-setting achievement.
The Directorate of PCA South, led by Director Sheeraz Ahmed, played a pivotal role by unearthing the largest-ever money laundering cartel in Pakistan Customs history—linked to the solar panel import sector. The staggering Rs. 120 billion scam exposed deep-rooted loopholes in the regulatory oversight across public and private institutions. This high-profile detection prompting major reforms, plugged revenue leakages and averted further loss to the national economy through over-invoicing and money laundering. In addition, PCA South detected duty/tax evasion cases worth Rs. 48 billion and recovered Rs. 2 billion in revenue – an unprecedented feat in the history of PCA South.
The Directorate of PCA Central, headed by Director Ms. Azmat Tahira, made exceptional contributions with detections of Rs. 12.5 billion and unprecedented recoveries worth Rs. 4.7 billion — a commendable performance in the its history. Across all regions—South, Central, and North—the PCA teams unearthed widespread misuse of the EFS, reclaiming billions in evaded duties/taxes while inducing substantive policy reforms for stronger checks and balances. These regulatory improvements are now actively preventing revenue losses worth billions.
Dr. Zulfikar Ali Chaudhary is widely respected for his integrity, strategic leadership, and commitment to institutional reform. Under his stewardship, PCA matured into a credible and effective post-clearance enforcement body, gaining recognition across the FBR and beyond. With his retirement approaching, senior officials and colleagues have praised Dr. Chaudhary for his forward-thinking approach and contributions to building a professional, data-driven culture within Pakistan Customs. PCA evolved into a key enforcement arm of Pakistan Customs during Dr. Chaudhary’s tenure—detecting large-scale fiscal fraud, curbing money laundering, and reclaiming billions in evaded duties and taxes.
As he retires after over three decades of dedicated service, Dr. Zulfikar Ali Chaudhary leaves behind a legacy marked by a measurable impact on customs enforcement and compliance—one that will continue to shape the PCA function for years to come. He retires having firmly positioned PCA as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s customs and revenue protection system. His tenure will be remembered as a defining chapter in the evolution of Pakistan Customs’ enforcement and post-clearance audit framework.
