PESHAWAR: The Federal Government should force provincial government of Sindh and law enforcement agencies to stop extra demurrage and detention charges taken by M/s Maersk Pakistan shipping line and QICT officials even after clearance of legally imported consignments by Customs. Importers have approached FIA and NAB against the corruption by these entities causing loss of billions to the national exchequer.
President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Faiz Mohammed Faizi while talking with Customs Today said that the government has shown full commitment to recover every penny from fraudsters who caused loss to the national economy while on the other hand billions of rupees looted by the above-mentioned shipping line and terminal operator QICT from importers have gone unnoticed.
The President SCCI added that the scam of looting importers by Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) and shipping companies like Maersk and others must be investigated and billions looted from importers should be given back to them.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) must probe to ascertain role of 65 employees of QICT /DP World and Maersk in country’s biggest shipping scandal involving 610 billion rupees sale tax evasion as well.
Speaking to Customs Today, President SCCI Faiz Mohmmed added that no room must be left for shipping lines to grab money from importers and exporters. Proper steps need to be taken in order to discourage the bleeding of business community at the hands of shipping lines and terminal operators.
President SCCI added that the National Security Agencies must take keen interest to examine the data and reports regarding extra demurrage and detention charges from importers in violation of Customs Rules.
Faiz Mohammed further said other Asian countries are moving forward by facilitating trade while big corruption is carried out in the business sector in Pakistan. Without eradicating corruption, no improvement can be seen in economic uplift.
Faiz Mohammed further said that Karachi has been hub of trade and commerce activities and in order to encourage trading in Pakistan the security agencies and government ought to keep close eye on those who violate rules established to give safe passage to transport vehicles.
