SOHAIL RAB KHAN
KARACHI: The Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has decided to go on strike from the first week of July for an indefinite period against the unjustified show-cause notices issued to more than 275 companies on Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) issue.
This was announced by President (KCAA) Saif Ullah Khan while addressing a press conference at his office here on Thursday. General Secretary (KCAA) Yahya Muhammad and former General Secretary (KCAA) Arshad Jamal were also present on the occasion. Khan informed the media that more than 10,000 show-cause notices worth billion of rupees have been served to nearly 275 companies in connection with Afghan Transit Trade issue.
Khan said the KCAA would the Supreme Court SC in order to seek justice from the apex judiciary. “We demand a judicial inquiry with the assistance of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Customs Intelligence”, he added.
“When the Customs and national carriers had issued the Afghan Transit Trade Clearance Certificate (ATTCC) to the companies after examining the goods, so why the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had issued show-cause notices to the Customs agents?” Khan questioned.
He further said that a delegation of KCAA has met with Chief Collector (Appraisement) Muhammad Yahya in this regard but he was of the view that the matter was under probe and would be finalised on June 30.
Khan alleged that the authorities concerned had not carried out the investigations into the matter in a proper manner and held Customs agents responsible for such illegal Afghan Trade.
“According to the Para 16(A), the Customs agents and the importer companies are only responsible till the goods are handed over to Customs authorities after examination. So why the authorities concerned hold Customs agents responsible for this issue?” he added.
