LAHORE: Collector of Customs Lahore Appraisement Jamil Nasir pledged to ensure clearance of consignment of businessmen at the earliest at all the three dry ports under the limits of the collectorate.
He was addressing a gathering of businessmen at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry here the other day.
LCCI Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan, Zeshan Khalil, Abdul Rehman Chan and a large number of businessmen were present also present on the occasion.
The Collector of Customs Jamil Nasir addressing the businessmen said that the dry ports functioning under the limits of Collectorate of Appraisement are all set to facilitate the business community of the city and thus the businessmen should come to use the facility.
He said that his staff is always ready to facilitate the businessmen besides doors of the collector’s office are always open for all and sundry. “I give my commitment to you; I assure you my full support when you come to use the ports.
If businessmen bring their goods and clear them from the ports we are there to facilitate them. In case you feel any issue we are here to go to every possible extent to resolve your issues at any time”
He said that he has instructed all of his officers and staff deputed at all the three dry ports including Mughalpura Dry Port, Pram Nagar Dry Port and NLC Dry to accommodate the businessmen to the best of their abilities and accommodate in every legitimate concern of the importers and exports.
“We would do our utmost to clear your consignments as soon as possible”, he said, adding that if the ports are made functional by the businessmen it would not only contribute to the important revenues for the government but also generate employment and other economic activities.
However, the collector urged the importers and exporters to try to file accurate declaration and be mindful about valuation of goods and articles besides stressed the need to bridge trust deficit between the customs department and the businessmen especially on the issue of under-invoicing.
In order to bring uniformity in valuation dominant valuation would be adopted, the collector stated, adding that we are going to gradually remove PAs interference with WeBOC system. LCCI vice president Nasir Hameed underscored the need to improve automation of WeBOC system.
He said that WeBOC system is not working like the one in Karachi as PAs in Lahore often interfere with the system which needs to be addressed.
The vice president also raised the question of rising smuggling due to the unrealistic customs duty, harassment of the businessmen by the customs officials on the roads and stressed the need to authorize each and every branch of National Bank of Pakistan to deposit customs duties.
After the meeting, in an answer to a question the collector told Customs Today that so far as the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement is concerned the businessmen would be facilitated to every extent and resolution of their issues would be the top priority of his Collectorate.
