KARACHI: Saifullah Khan, the Chairman of the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA), was laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon at the DHA Phase 8 graveyard in Karachi, following his passing earlier in the day at a local hospital.
A prominent figure in Pakistan’s customs and trade community, Saifullah Khan, aged 67, was known for his unwavering commitment to the rights of customs clearing agents and his vocal advocacy on national economic issues. His recent criticism of the implementation of the “Customs Faceless System” reflected his dedication to ensuring transparency and efficiency in customs operations.
According to family sources, Khan had been admitted to the hospital due to illness and passed away suddenly while still engaging in normal conversation with his family. He is survived by his widow, three sons, and a daughter.
His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered after Zuhr prayers at Masjid Kabeer in Defence Housing Authority, Karachi. The funeral was attended by a large number of friends, colleagues, and dignitaries from various sectors.
Prominent attendees included Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh Najmi Alam, Chief Collector Customs Jameel Nasir, Collector Customs Amir Thamim, Feroze Alam Junejo, Shafiq Latki, former Secretary Commerce Munir Qureshi, FPCCI Vice President Fayyaz Magoon, former FPCCI President Mian Nasir Hayat Magoon, Shabbir Mansha Churra, Wasiq Hussain Khan, Amin Esani, Abid Chinoi, and Sharjeel Golpani.
His elder son, Fahd Ullah Khan, shared that just moments before his passing, his father had been speaking normally with family members, making his sudden demise all the more shocking and heartbreaking.
Saifullah Khan’s contributions to the customs clearing community have been significant and long-standing. He served for several years as President of the Karachi Customs Agents Alliance (KCAA), during which he led the organization through multiple election victories. In a 2013 exclusive interview with Customs Today, Khan expressed satisfaction with the Alliance’s success and reaffirmed his commitment to the community, stating, “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with clearing agents in difficult times and will continue to resolve their issues related to clearance of goods.”
A strong supporter of institutional integrity, he frequently praised the role of the Customs Department in national revenue generation. “It is one of the best departments of the government,” he once remarked, emphasizing that it deserves efficient leadership and rule-based functioning. He also advocated for competent officials to be assigned to key areas like Audit, Post Clearance Audit (PCA), and Risk Management Cell (RMC).
In his comments about Customs Today, Saifullah Khan called it “a unique and first English-language newspaper of its kind, maintaining excellent printing quality and adhering to a policy of constructive criticism with professionalism.”
The management and staff of Customs Today expressed their profound grief over the loss of Saifullah Khan. In a statement, they said, “We are deeply saddened by the demise of a visionary leader and staunch supporter of the clearing agents’ community. We pray that Almighty Allah grants him eternal peace and gives strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss.”
Saifullah Khan leaves behind a legacy of leadership, dedication, and tireless advocacy that will be remembered by generations of customs professionals in Pakistan.
