After a wait of 36 years, the government has finally approved a reward of Rs 84.809 million for Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) for their role in seizing 25 kilograms of smuggled gold near Narowal in 1989. The gold, now valued at around Rs 565 million, was officially deposited into the national treasury in 2024.
According to the Customs Reward Rules 2012, Rangers are eligible to receive 15% of the total amount once the smuggled goods are recovered and sold. Since the funds were only realized in 2024, the 2012 rules were applied.
The delay in granting the reward was due to legal complications and procedural hurdles that took several years to resolve. However, the matter was finally settled when the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved the release of the reward money on May 13, 2025.
Officials assured that the approved funds would be distributed among the Rangers personnel involved in the operation or their legal heirs if any of them have passed away. They also promised that such long delays would not happen in future cases.
This decision brings long-overdue recognition to the Rangers’ efforts and underlines the importance of timely rewards for security forces involved in anti-smuggling and national interest operations.
Many see this as a positive step towards improving morale among security agencies and ensuring fairness in recognizing their contributions. The government hopes that the move will set an example for speeding up similar cases and reinforcing trust among law enforcement personnel.
