KARACHI: A large number of customs officials, agents and public is seen at Customs House Karachi even during Covid-19 disaster. Attendance at Customs House Karachi should have been kept minimal for 3-4 weeks to avoid further spread of Coronavirus among Customs officials who are lifeline of the economic activity in the country.
According to details, a PRAL employee Imran Khan tested positive for CoronaVirus recently and all officials of Customs House Karachi were advised to get tested for Coronavirus. Health department after closing entire Customs House immediately started fumigation but only after few days, a huge rush is being seen in the Customs House Karachi, putting the lives of customs officials, importers and customs clearing agents at risk.
Sources told that all officials were advised to work online from their homes but junior officers are not implementing the directives of senior customs officials in letter and spirit. Rush at customs house should be curtailed and fumigation & disinfection should be done through some professional company such as Syngenta, Jaffer Bros, ICI.
It is pertinent to mention here that Directorate Customs Investigation and Intelligence (I&I) Anti-Smuggling superintendent Younis Qadri was tested positive for COVID-19 recently and admitted to 1000-bed quarantine hospital established at the Expo Centre Lahore. Similarly, a female employee working in Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) Islamabad was also found Covid-19 positive after her test.
