PESHAWAR: Collector Model Customs Collectorate Gul Rehman has taken serious notice of the complaints made by several importers against checking of the consignments, already cleared by dry ports and Customs Appeasement sections, in violation of the customs laws.
Talking to Customs Today, Mr Rehman said that earlier importers complained that some officials of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) allegedly were involved in opening the sealed containers on their way from Karachi Sea Port to Peshawar Dry Port and en-route to Afghanistan via Torkham Border in violation of the orders of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The collector said that a stern action would be taken against the customs officers who demand checking of already cleared goods by any section of the Pakistan Customs. He said that he has ordered investigations into illegal checking of the consignments by customs officials. The collector also said that black sheep might exist in the department but no leniency would be shown to them once a complaint reached against them.
Mr Rehman also directed the formation of a special unit to monitor the activities of Customs officials throughout the Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Transit route.
The SRO 486(I) 2007 issued by the FBR has clear direction for officials not to check the vehicles already cleared by dry ports and Customs Appraisement.
After clear directions, which have been issued by FBR, it would be gave violation of the customs acts to frustrate importers and seek bribe from them; the collector said.
Earlier, the department directed the transporters and importers to clear their position on the blame of smuggling spare parts from sea ports and dry ports to different markets of the country. A campaign has been launched to maintain good reputation of the Pakistan Customs.
The sources in Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation of the FBR, Peshawar, on condition of anonymity, informed Customs Today that Director I&I FBR Peshawar Saleem Khan has already directed all inspectors not to create troubles for importers on their way from Karachi to Torkham. However, he said that no complaint had been registered against checking of vehicles already sealed by dry ports and Customs appeasement.
He said that I&I Customs Superintendent Manzoor and Inspector Abdur Rahman have been given the task to investigate the matter with proper meeting with importers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to get to know the real situation faced by them on customs check posts. He said a clear direction will be issued soon in this regard.
