I'm still trying to figure out why afis are required at all. Are the millions of homes that don't have them all in some great peril?
Exactly why there is/has been so much controversy over AFCI's in general. Many argue whether or not AFCI's do what manufacturers claim they are supposed to do. I like the principle of what they are supposed to do, but am myself a little sceptical whether they get it done. That does not change the fact they are in the code, so I install them anyway, and my inspectors have no choice but to enforce the code requirements.
Usually if replacing a panel and the new panel goes in same place the old one was it is not considered modification of the branch circuits - even if you have to extend a conductor within the panel so it can reach where it needs to terminate. If however you move the panel to a new location and have to junction the branch circuit conductors and extend them to the new location it is considered extending the circuit by some AHJ's. NEC does not say anything about whether or not that is considered extending the circuit or not. You may want to find out just how the AHJ where you are working treats it.
It is unfortunate you have inspectors that can be bought to inspect the way you or your competitors want them to inspect. This is not only unfair to you but also to the people that may be effected by unsafe conditions that have been have deemed to be acceptable. It is likely if they are taking money to overlook things there is some laws being broken someplace. Get enough people that feel it is wrong together to stand up as a group and get something done about it.