ISLAMABAD: The Custom Dry Port Islamabad is functioning according to international standards and the Ministry of Railway should establish forensic laboratory to conducted examination of seized goods at dry port Islamabad.
These views were expressed by Assistant Collector Imanat Ali Khan during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. Imanat said that a double road is providing access to the Islamabad Dry Port while heavy duty vehicles and big containers are plying on this road to pick and drop commercial consignments at the port.
However, on account of its sub-standard repair work, every vehicle plying on this road is sending off clouds of dust in the air due to which pedestrians, motorcyclists and people living around this road were inhaling dust, which is dangerous for their health.
He said CDA should pay immediate attention to this important issue and arrange urgent carpeting of Islamabad Dry Port main double road to save the business activity to generate better revenue.
Assistant Collector Imanat Ali said that weighbridge is most urgent need of Margallah Railway dry port. He said that we are constantly in touch with Ministry of Railways for last 7 to 8 months to make the process speedy for installation of the weighbridge because installation of the computerized weighbridge for accurate weighing of the cargo would certainly facilitate the traders.
The installation of weighing solutions for heavy load vehicles (weighbridge) at dry port Islamabad will increase the business activities besides time consumption for importers exporters as well as for the Customs officials, the AC said.
With the establishment of weighbridge, it is hoped that Customs revenue will be secured, and any chances of pilferage or replacement will instantly be detected after comparison of initial weight at the port of exit towards other stations with that conducted at the dry port Islamabad.
He said that to build a proper boundary wall around the dry port is very urgently required “it must be provided by Railways” because it is mentioned in the Provision of Custom Act that any agency or person managing or owning a customs port, it has to provide at its or his own cost an adequate accommodation to customs staff, examination of goods, detention and storage of goods and for other departmental requirements to be determined by the collector of Customs and shall pay utility bills , rent and taxes in respect of such accommodation, the Imanat Assistant Collector said.
He said most of the consignments of importers passed through WeBOC (red channel) examinations but some companies who have well established profile go through green channel.
Imanat said that there is an urgent need to build sheds for consignment of importers and exporters, business community always complained that their value able goods get wasted due to hot weather and rainy season, the staff responsible for examination of goods at dry port told that during hot weather it is difficult to examine the consignment, because iron made containers get heated with out shade.
Imanat said that Pakistan Railway (PR) should provide shed for dry port on urgent basis and it also has to make proper loading and unloading area to facilitate the businessmen.
