PESHAWAR: Upcoming government should take notice of mega corruption by shipping lines and terminal operators at Karachi, said lawyer at Peshawar High Court Mohib Kakakheil.
While talking with Customs Today on Wednesday at Peshawar, he said the traders who import goods to Pakistan have been looted harshly by ‘evil lords’ in shipping lines and terminal operators.
The advocate stated further that SRO 1220 and section 14 A of customs act 1969 stated clearly that no demurrage or detention charges would be received after issuing of delay and detention certificate by Customs but the ‘evil lords’ in the shipping lines charge hidden charges from importers which is against the customs laws and set rules stated out by Federal Board of Revenue.
The terminal operators (PICT) not only stop the imported goods to frustrate importers but also demand extra amount from them which is against the customs laws, and the law enforcement agencies must act upon the hard direction issued by customs high-ups to curb smuggling and corruption, the advocate said.
It is pertinent to mention here that various importers have filed 13 applications to lodge FIRs against these shipping lines and their agents including Deputy MD of Greenpak Abdul Rauf, CEO of United Marine Agency Sohail Shams, COO PICT Khurram Aziz Khan and chairman Marine Group Capt. Haleem Siddiqui who was once director of PICT, for demanding additional demmurage and detentions charges from importers and robbing of Rs 15 billion per year.
Sohail Shams, CEO United Marine Agency
He said the importers face a lot of problems and bear serious financial losses due to delay of imported goods by the shipping lines due to which the ‘evil lords’ earn extra amounts from the importers which must have to be stopped.
He said importers are usually trapped by offering low rates by the agents of numerous shipping companies at the initial stage but when the shipment task is given to the shipping lines, they don’t release the goods and demand exorbitant terminal handling charges along with many hidden and unexplained charges.
Haleem Siddiqui, Chairman Marine Group
Mohib said the customs law states that shipping companies can’t charge any demurrage and detention where specially it is not agreed and also not mentioned on the B/L but this law violated by shipping lines and their agents.
He said proper monitoring system must be introduced in order to independently check the customs clearance procedure.
