MULTAN: Importers of South Punjab, especially Multan city, are facing a number of problems due to negligence of few Customs officials especially Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan at R&D Port Qasim.
Presence of ‘corrupt officials’ at Port Qasim is causing blockage of import consignments, the importers alleged.
Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Khawaja Jalalud Din Rumi told Customs Today that they received frequent complaints against the blackmailing and corruption at Port Qasim, unnecessarily delaying the clearance process of their import consignments.
He said that overall business condition in South Punjab is not satisfactory due to energy crisis and high cost of business. Importers are forced to pay excess charges for the timely clearance of their import batches to save their time in this bitter atmosphere, otherwise they have to face objections on their GDs and hindrance in their legitimate import consignments.
He suggested that government should give special favour to importers by eliminating corrupt elements at Port Qasim.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Tajiraan Pakistan Central President Khawaja Suleman Siddiqui said, “We have always shown concerns over the misconduct of few Port Qasim employees. These customs officials are misusing their powers for blackmailing innocent importers and they are compelled to pay bribe at the time of clearance.” Business community is shifting their businesses to other countries due to unfavorable conditions in the country and these corrupt elements of Port Qasim are responsible for shooting of investment to foreign countries, he added.
He said, “We have informed Federal Board of Revenue and relevant Customs authorities but no one took action against them so far.”
Shujabad Textile Group Director and importer Waseem Akram stated if they object to any illegal action of the Customs officials including Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan at R&D Port Qasim, they have to face revenge from these officials because they are running a network and everyone is trying to snatch his part.
“We have to pay to everyone when the file moves from one officer to other and if we refuse to bribe them, importer has to face uncertain blockage of import consignment at Port Qasim,” he asserted.
“Importers are afraid of tax officials and clearing staff at Port Qasim that they will take revenge by lodging false tax evasion cases which increase their cost of clearance. Corrupt officials compel them to pay ‘extra’ amounts in shape of kickbacks,” he explained.
“We have raised this issue couple of times but no action is taken to resolve this issue of corruption at Port Qasim. Government should set example by conducting fair interrogation against fraudulent officials to eliminate corruption. An independent cell should be formed at Port Qasim for the speedy clearance of shipments without any extra payment in shape of bribe,” he demanded.
Meanwhile, importers have approached Federal Board of Revenue against blackmailing by few customs officials at R&D Port Qasim, especially by Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan.
Importers told Customs Today that blackmailing by Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan is increasing day by day due to which their businesses are suffering huge losses.
“This is intolerable. We cannot survive in these circumstances. Even we are thinking to shift our businesses to UAE to secure our children’s livelihood. We are fulfilling all the legal requirements. We are paying taxes to Customs and FBR on time. After paying the taxes, it is impossible to pay huge amounts to the blackmailers,” importers uttered with immense despair.
“PA Ibrahim Khan was found involved in smuggling cases. He had a bad repute and track record. Such persons should not be allowed to work again to upset the genuine businessmen,” importers demanded.
Meanwhile, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad has taken serious notice of the importers’ complaints of blackmailing by few Customs officials, especially Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan, deputed at R&D Port Qasim and directed the authorities concerned to investigate the matter and report him urgently.
He said corruption and corrupt officials will not be tolerated, “if any official found involved in such kind of activities, he/she shall be punished as per relevant laws.”
“There is no room in Federal Board of Revenue for those persons who are stigma on the face of our institution,” he added.
Recently, several incidents of blackmailing have been reported by importers against few Customs officials deputed at R&D Port Qasim.
Sources made shocking revelations about the sufferings of several importers due to the blackmailing of few black sheep in the Customs Department, especially Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan at R&D Port Qasim.
Talking about the tactics of blackmailing, importers said Principal Appraiser Ibrahim Khan and his team are used to call to importers to demand money. They also threaten these importers to face dire consequences in shape of marking inquiry against them.
Sources further revealed that this Principal Appraiser, Ibrahim Khan, has already a bad track record. An FIR was also lodged against him in December 2016 in a smuggling case, in which he along with few other staff members found involved in smuggling of miscellaneous goods in the garb of iron/steel scrap and inflicted colossal loss to public exchequer.
Earlier, importers appealed to FBR Chairman Dr Irshad, Member Customs Zahid Khokhar, Chief Collectors and Collector Port Qasim Saeed Akram to look into the issue of blackmailing and address the grievances of the importers at the earliest. They also demanded to launch inquiry against the few officials of Customs deputed at R&D Port Qasim, especially PA Ibrahim Khan, to avoid huge losses to the national exchequer.
The FBR chairman took serious notice after the news published on Customs Today website. The chairman also directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against those elements who are misusing powers.
