Mahmood Riyaz reinstated on Committee recommendation

Mahmood Riyaz, who was dismissed from the post of Deputy Commissioner of Customs on October 29 on allegations that he had been involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, has been reinstated on recommendation of the Parliament's Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee).

This was announced last night through a social media post by President's Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed. 

The 241 Committee's further investigation cleared Mahmood Riyaz of any wrongdoing. Based on these findings, the committee recommended his reinstatement, which the President approved, Heena wrote. 

As per the Customs Act, Deputy Commissioners of Customs are appointed and dismissed directly by the President. 

The 241 Committee had previously recommended Riyaz's dismissal in relation to their probe into the issues of cigarettes being smuggled in on an oil tanker owned by Hawks, and the removal of cigarette cartons from a bonded warehouse without Customs' knowledge. 

While Riyaz denied the allegations, many Customs officers also expressed confidence that he would not have had involvement in such a matter. 

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) then appealed to the 241 Committee to review the dismissal of Riyaz, who had served at Customs for 33 years. 

The committee met on Thursday and reviewed the case, where they concluded that Riyaz had no direct involvement in the two incidents. They then recommended his reinstatement. 

Besides Riyaz, Deputy Commissioner of Customs Abdulla Waheed was also dismissed in relation to the same incident. A senior member of the 241 Committee said that Waheed's case is not up for review, as his involvement has been clearly established.