MULTAN: Importers of South Punjab demanded strict action against blackmailing and corruption of Appraiser Muhammad Naeem Khan and other corrupt officials to ensure swift clearance of their import consignments.
Sources said appraiser Muhammad Naeem Khan posted at Port Qasim Karachi is used to blackmail genuine importers for clearance of their import shipments.
President Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malik Israr Ahmad told Customs Today that the Chamber received frequent complaints about dishonest staff of Port Qasim especially Appraiser Naeem Khan allegedly involved in rampant corruption. Business community is compelled to pay additional charges for clearance of their legitimate shipments. Multan Chamber has also raised this issue with Customs high-ups in different meetings.
Importer Usman Malik Bhutta Informed Customs Today that appraiser Naeem Khan is running an organized corruption cell which looted innocent importers by charging speed money. Many importers have approached Federal Board of Revenue to get rid of corrupt officials.
President Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan South Punjab Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Siddiqui aid that importers are hopeless about corruption by few corrupt officers at Port Qasim and after huge number of complaints, nothing has been done to eliminate corruption. If serious action is not taken against appraiser Naeem Khan, importers and foreign investors will shift their businesses to other countries.
Renowned tax Lawyer Mohsin Hamdani told Customs Today that there is no space for corrupt elements in Customs department according to law and we are surprised that these corrupt officials like Appraiser Naeem Khan are doing corrupt practices openly without any fear. He demanded that Federal Board of Revenue should form commission to monitor and probe the corruption of such officials to facilitate importers.
