MULTAN: Customs Adjudication Camp Office Multan has become non-operational due to the absence of key officials, including the Collector, Deputy Collector, and Assistant Collector. This shortage has resulted in a significant backlog of pending cases, leading to delays in the adjudication process.
The cases, initiated by the Directorates General of Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, Post Clearance Audit, Internal Audit (Customs), and other agencies under the Customs Act of 1969, are now facing prolonged pendency. These cases fall under the jurisdiction of various Collectorates and Directorates.
Certain categories of cases are exempt from adjudication by the officers of the Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication). These include rejection of refund or rebate cases, technical violations related to manifest clearance, Violations of baggage rules, technical violations of import or export restrictions without the involvement of duty or tax evasion, determination of value under Section 25A of the Customs Act, Cases specifically remanded by superior courts to officers by name or designation.
To manage the workload, the Collector of the Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication) is responsible for distributing the tasks among Additional Collectors, Deputy Collectors, Assistant Collectors, and Superintendents or Principal Appraisers within the Collectorate, in accordance with Section 179 of the Customs Act, 1969.
The operational inefficiencies at the Multan Camp Office underscore the urgent need for the appointment of adjudicating officers to ensure the timely processing and resolution of customs cases. The current situation highlights a critical administrative gap that requires immediate attention to prevent further delays and ensure the effective enforcement of customs regulations.
