KARACHI: Renowned lawyer Ismat Mehdi has said that green channel was introduced to facilitate importers and many of them are taking benefits from this channel, but some corrupt elements are misusing this facility and they are using this channel for their own benefits.
Talking with Customs Today, she lauded Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar for taking notice of this mega corruption. She said that after the shocking facts this action is appreciable. She said that CJP also ordered an inquiry into the matter.
She further said that action against corrupt elements in customs can only be taken if “we have proof of their bribe, or registered FIR against them.” Now it’s Customs officials responsibility to take strict action against those corrupt elements, she added.
Ismat Mehdi said few Customs officials have turned a blind eye on clearance of banned and non-certified goods worth billions of rupees through green channel by declaring as scrap.
She said that misuse of green channel facility by smugglers has caused huge loss to the national exchequer and genuine importers in the country. Misuse of green channel facility allowed smugglers in the country to launch their smuggled goods in the open markets after getting clearance through green channel.
She said importers pay all taxes and levies for the clearance of their shipments but smugglers smoothly get cleared their goods by mis-declaration under the grab of other items. This is causing billions of rupees loss to national exchequer.
