Islamabad, May 26, 2025: After nearly 36 years of delay, the federal government has officially sanctioned a reward of Rs 84.809 million for Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) for their crucial role in thwarting a major gold smuggling attempt near Narowal in 1989.
This significant decision, reported by Business Recorder, marks the end of decades-long legal and administrative hurdles that had stalled the payment.
The reward equals 15% of the gold’s value, which was estimated at Rs 565.4 million based on the price at the time of its deposit into the national treasury through the State Bank of Pakistan.
The Rangers had seized 25 kilograms of smuggled gold on May 27, 1989, and promptly handed it over to the state. However, despite the immediate handover, the financial acknowledgment was delayed for nearly four decades.
The resolution to finally release the payment was made possible after a comprehensive review by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Law & Justice. Both ministries confirmed that the reward payment complies with the Customs Reward Rules established in 2012, which authorize awarding a share of the confiscated goods’ value to the personnel involved in such seizures.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet formally approved the proposal. It came to light during the review process that prolonged legal proceedings and bureaucratic red tape were the main causes of the prolonged delay.
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The Ministry of Interior and National Coordination (MoI&NC) has pledged to avoid such delays in future cases, promising prompt payments for those eligible.
The ECC also mandated that the reward be distributed to the Rangers named in the original seizure report or, if they have passed away, to their legal heirs, strictly following the Customs Reward Rules.
This long-overdue reward not only provides deserved financial compensation but also stands as an official acknowledgment of the Pakistan Rangers’ critical contribution to national security and anti-smuggling operations.
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