LAHORE: Importers of Lahore demanded that Customs top authorities should bring to the book the corrupt elements involved in betel nuts smuggling in Karachi.
The importers are of the view that their legal imports are being confiscated while the criminal elements in connivance with the customs inspectors, appraisers and examiners are successful in clearing their illegal imports.
These views were expressed by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rasheed while talking to Customs Today upon misuse of TP facility.
Khawaja Khawar said that this misuse can impose huge losses to the national exchequer and if the misuse is not addressed the legal trade is also likely to suffer manifolds.
He said that the few black-sheep like Principal Appraiser Dost Muhammad have been not performing their duty properly due to which customs exchequer has to bear a loss of billions of rupees each day.
Khawar said that Customs Appraisement East R&D Section Principal Appraiser Dost Muhammad is involved in operating his parallel smuggling network for the illegal clearance of contraband items and others
He added that smuggling has been detected by the misuse of transship permit (TP) facility but customs high-ups are not worried about the corruption and had let no hear to listen to cries of importers against corrupt practices specially at by few corrupt customs officials specially deputed at R&D Section of Appraisement East.
Illegal items including chemicals, betel nuts and drugs have been brought into Pakistan through crooked customs elements by smugglers through green & yellow channel.
An importer of The Mall on the condition of anonymity said that illegal clearance of contraband items like dangerous chemicals and betel nuts not only causing serious loss to the exchequer but also defamation of customs department.
The importers have appealed the FBR top officials to take notice of the gross miss-use of TP facility and take action against corrupt officials to the books.
